The National Financial Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the Altrad group for suspicion of aggravated tax fraud and organized gang money laundering. Several searches were carried out, notably at the group’s headquarters.
The National Financial Prosecutor’s Office (PNF) has opened an investigation for aggravated tax fraud and laundering of aggravated tax fraud by an organized gang targeting the French giant of industrial and construction servicesTHE Altrad group. This procedure, triggered following a complaint from the tax administration filed in mid-April, resulted in several searches carried out at different sites of the group in France.
An investigation opened after a complaint from the tax administration
The investigations gave rise to a vast operation carried out by investigators in several French locations of the group, including its head office based in Montpellier. According to the PNF, the searches mobilized “around fifty investigators“. The prosecution also specified that “hearings took place for natural persons under the free hearing regime. There was therefore no custody“.
The head office of the Altrad group, in Montpellier. © Gillet Architect
According to an internal source in the group who requested anonymity, the suspicions relate to a system of tax fraud representative “between 23 and 86 million euros per year over the period 2018-2024, i.e. a total amount between 350 and 400 million euros“. Still according to this source, the arrangement would have consisted of taking these sums out of the group’s margin, by leveraging the numerous international subsidiaries via a hub based in Dubai,s elements which have however not been confirmed at this stage by the National Financial Prosecutor’s Office.
The group evokes an old tax dispute
On the side ofAltradthe existence of the searches was confirmed by his lawyer, Me Christophe Ingrain. He indicated that the group “was the subject of a search“in the context of a file which he presents as”linked to an old dispute with the tax administration“.
The lawyer also stressed that the operation “took place calmly in a spirit of cooperation”, specifying that the company “will not make any additional comments”.
Founded by Mohed Altradthe group is today one of the main global players in industrial services, maintenance and services intended for the construction, energy and infrastructure sectors. In 2025, it achieved a turnover of around 6 billion euros and employs nearly 65,000 people around the world.
This new procedure comes in an already delicate context for its leader. Indeed, in December 2022, Mohed Altrad was found guilty by the Paris criminal court of having concluded a corruption pact with Bernard Laporte, former president of the French Rugby Federation. The businessman was then sentenced to eighteen months’ suspended prison sentence as well as a fine of 50,000 euros. Bernard Laporte and he must be retried on appeal next September. © Ecomnews
Alongside his industrial activities, Mohed Altrad is also president of Montpellier Hérault Rugby (MHR), which will play the Top 14 final this Saturday against Stade Toulousain. © MHR
