Sex offender and American financier Jeffrey Epstein reportedly housed and abused several trafficked women in flats in London, according to a BBC investigative report.
The BBC investigation uncovered evidence of four flats used to accommodate Epstein’s victims, rented in the boroughs of Kensington and Chelsea. This information was drawn from the so-called 'Epstein files.'
Six women who lived in these flats have since come forward as victims of Epstein's abuse. The BBC report reveals that some of the women were coerced by Epstein into recruiting others for his sex trafficking operation.
Lives of his victim tenants
The victim tenants, were regularly transported to Paris via Eurostar to meet him. The files referenced in the report indicate that Epstein purchased at least 53 tickets to transport women between France and England from 2011 to 2019, sometimes utilizing Eurostar's reduced “youth” fares for individuals under 25.
Even when Epstein was not physically present, he maintained regular contact with the women tenants through social media and Skype, sharing photos and engaging in video calls.
The files indicated that this setup of trafficked and abused tenants was not an isolated situation but rather a recurring operation, far more extensive than previously known, continuing right up until Epstein’s arrest and death.
In addition to sporadically covering the rent for the apartments, Epstein reportedly provided a monthly allowance, contributed to furnishing the flats, provided visas, and even funded various study courses for the women.
Although the flats were in desirable locations, they were often overcrowded, forcing some women to sleep on sofas. Emails uncovered in the files reveal that Epstein sometimes reacted angrily when the women expressed concerns about their living conditions.
Allegations brought to and missed by UK police
Many of the victim tenants, primarily from Russia and Eastern Europe, were allegedly brought to the UK after local Police chose not to investigate similar allegations against Epstein made by Virginia Giuffre in 2015.
At that time, Giuffre claimed she had been a victim of international trafficking to London and had been sexually abused by a royal figure, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formally known as Prince Andrew.
The UK Police interviewed Giuffre three times in 2015 and 2016. They also reached out to several other potential victims, but no allegations of criminal conduct were made against any individuals based in the UK.
In statements issued in 2016, 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2025, the UK police expressed that they believed international authorities were better positioned to investigate the allegations concerning Epstein.
In early 2020, a second woman, following Giuffre, complained to the UK police that she had been abused by Epstein in the UK, the BBC report stated. However, it was not clear whether this complaint was acted on.
Tessa Gregory, a human rights lawyer with Leigh Day, told the BBC she was "staggered" that no UK police investigation had ever been launched after reviewing the evidence collected at the time.
"Where there are credible allegations of human trafficking, the UK state, even if no victims come forward, has a positive legal obligation to conduct a prompt, effective and independent investigation," she said.
In response, the police countered, stating they considered the duties fulfilled in accordance with Article 4 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which covers the right to freedom from slavery and forced labor.