Millionaire Busted Over Alleged 'Harem'

A British millionaire allegedly detained a "harem" of aspiring models in his Spanish mansion, preventing them from leaving as he fathered at least seven children with them. The Iranian-born Shoja Shojai, 56, was arrested in Spain after one woman reported domestic abuse. Investigators found the women in the mansion, and nine of them say Shojai tricked them into coming and threatened violence if they left. Out on bail, he denies the accusations, the Telegraph reports.

The women are mostly in their 20s, while their children range in age from nine months to seven years. Shojai allegedly met the victims while they were fashion students in London, where they'd come from Russia, Germany, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and elsewhere. He lured them to Spain by suggesting he could help further their careers, the accusations hold. Some of the women, the Daily Mail notes, were from wealthy families—and were forced to pay the rent, they say. Rohypnol was found in the house, according to Spanish reports; the women also say they were required to take psychiatric drugs. (More Shoja Shojai stories.)