New documents released by the US Department of Justice provide a stark picture of how Daniel Siad, a model scout with international connections, routinely informed convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein of “new discoveries” of young women.
In July 2014, in one of the emails included in the case file, Siad compared his job to fishing: sometimes he “catches” quickly, sometimes he fails. In the same message, he expressed his displeasure because Epstein did not show up for a scheduled meeting, even though – as he wrote – he had already gathered “two Swedes, a Slovak, two French women, a Russian woman you had spoken to and a beautiful Chinese woman.” Epstein replied that he would cover the expenses.
Search for minors and “surprises”
The correspondence records the intensity and frequency of their communication, especially in the period after Epstein’s release from prison on a case of promoting a minor into prostitution. Siad sought to maintain a close relationship with him, promising “big surprises.” After a trip to Scandinavia, he reported that he had identified at least five girls aged 16 and 17, as well as a 15-year-old from France, whose parents – according to him – agreed to her starting a career in modeling. “There are millions out there,” he noted.
The fashion industry was allegedly an effective channel for Epstein to approach young women. In addition to his contacts with high-ranking executives in the field, he was personally interested in the details of “searching for new faces.”
Networks in Paris, New York and Miami
Siad appears in more than 1,000 documents in the latest batch. For almost a decade, he informed Epstein about trips to Eastern European villages, Swedish islands and Havana, where he sought out candidates. He received wire transfers, apparently to cover expenses.
Although unknown to the general public, he was closely connected to top fashion figures. He worked on commission for Jean-Luc Brunel – a powerful agent in Paris, New York and Miami for decades – and had worked with Gerald Marie of Elite. Epstein financed Brunel in the early 2000s to found MC2 Model Management and remained involved for years. Brunel committed suicide in prison in February 2022, while awaiting trial on charges of child rape and sexual assault, which he denied, as well as any involvement in human trafficking with Epstein.
“Slovakia is the place to be”
In a 2009 email, Siad wrote that he had 45 women to meet in Slovakia and was planning a summer of “scouting in small villages” in Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary. When Epstein asked “how much?”, he replied that he had to invite parents for lunch or coffee and give money to girls who were waiting for him, estimating the costs at at least 4,000 euros.
Epstein’s messages were often sharp and insistent: “what about new girls?”, “new?”, “anything worth coming to Paris for?”, “anything interesting?” He often referred to women by nationality – “is the Swede here?” he asked in 2014 from New York.
Demanding ratings and payments
Emails show he asked for details about age and body measurements. In a photo of a 19-year-old sent to him in 2011, he replied “not very interesting.” At other times, he simply asked “age?” Siad would point out that some “look 18” despite being 26, or he would describe a 20-year-old as “very sweet and shy.” In another instance, Epstein commented that a woman “doesn’t look happy” and that “her breasts are awful, they need to be redone.”
In 2018, he approved a “five-year loan of $25,000” to Siad. On another occasion, he asked that he have no contact with a woman who was texting him and offered to pay for her return ticket to Latvia.
Allegations and investigations in France
Siad claims that the meetings were legitimate casting calls for agencies such as Victoria’s Secret and MC2 and that he would leave immediately with the models. He says Epstein abused his trust and was unaware of his alleged dangerousness.
Emba Carlsson, a former Swedish model, has alleged that he spotted her in 1990, took her to France and raped her. She recently filed a complaint in Paris for rape and human trafficking. Siad denies the charges, while his lawyer, Menya Arab-Tigrin, claims that he does not know her and that the case is time-barred.
Le Parisien also published a testimony from a woman who claimed that Siad introduced her to Epstein in 2013 in Paris, where she worked as a masseuse, and that she was asked to recruit other girls. She said that French police took no action.
French prosecutors announced the formation of a team of judicial officers to evaluate the evidence, as the files also mention French nationals. The documents show that the FBI had been informed of Siad’s activities as early as 2016.
In television statements in France, Siad – who says he was French-born, Algerian-born and holds Swedish citizenship – argued that “over time it is revealed that this man committed atrocities” but that he “has nothing to reproach himself with.”
