The Epstein scandal has reached Hungary once more with the sudden death of a model scout who allegedly searched for girls in the country, as the ripples of the affair continue to shake even the old British royal establishment. Daniel Siad, 69, was under investigation in France by prosecutors specialising in human trafficking, on suspicion of rape and other offences, but had not yet been questioned. His body was found at home, and investigators have ordered an autopsy.

Very close to each other

Siad’s name appears more than a thousand times in the US Department of Justice Epstein files released this year. The documents suggest that the model scout worked closely with Jeffrey Epstein for years, regularly finding women from the fashion industry for him while the billionaire covered his travel costs on several occasions through bank transfers.

According to the files, Siad travelled through villages in Eastern Europe, but also went to Cuba and Sweden in search of models. In a 2014 email, he compared his work to fishing, saying patience was needed because “sometimes you catch fish quickly, sometimes nothing” — in rather poor English, as The Guardian noted. On the basis of the Epstein files, he remained in contact with the billionaire until 2016.

Jeffrey Epstein's photo uploaded to the registry of sexual offenders
Photo: his photo uploaded to the registry of sexual offenders. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

Hungary in the files

The released documents do not only shed light on Siad’s activities; they also contain several Hungary-related references. In one 2009 email, Siad asked the billionaire for money so he could spend the following months in Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary, where, in his own words, he wanted to look for girls in “small villages”. He ended the message by saying he would have “a big surprise” when Epstein arrived in Paris, though it was never made clear what he meant.

The correspondence also shows that in 2015 Epstein asked Siad in an email what had happened to “the Hungarian girl”. Several other emails refer to Hungarian girls, as well as to a Hungarian woman who sent Epstein photographs and videos, then wrote that she had cut ties with “Daniel’s friend” because he had treated her badly.

Budapest keeps appearing

Budapest also crops up repeatedly in the millions of Epstein documents released in January. The papers show Epstein corresponding with the Norwegian film producer Haakon Gundersen, who has Hungarian links, about the transfer and sale of a flat at 70 Király Street in Budapest, Telex reported at the time. The emails also suggest that Epstein repeatedly indicated he was heading to Budapest, or was already in the city.

Short messages in the files include:

  • “I’ll send someone to Budapest.”
  • “I’ll be in Budapest.”
  • “I’m in Budapest. On my way to you.”
  • “I’m in Budapest. Which flat?”

The documents do not, however, show exactly when those trips took place. After Telex published its report, Gundersen’s production company issued a statement denying that he had any business or other relationship with the American billionaire. The statement said Epstein had never been to any property or business connected to Gundersen.

Hungarian names and models

The files also mention the literary agent John Brockman recommending network scientist Albert-László Barabási to Epstein in 2012. Epstein wanted to meet him and contacted him by email in 2014, but the planned meeting never happened. After the documents were made public, Barabási said he had not known the correspondence would be released, that he had never met him, and that there was no further contact beyond the brief email exchange in 2014.

Another document says Epstein sent a package to economist János Kornai in 2005, though the files do not reveal what it contained.

Owner of Budapest property linked to Epstein files says he was threatened

The documents also name two Hungarian top models. In a 2013 email exchange, businessman Tancredi Marchiolo asked Epstein whether he knew Barbara Palvin, and the billionaire replied that he did not. Enikő Mihalik’s name appears in a 2017 message, when he asked an acquaintance whether he had seen attractive women at a New York gym; Mihalik was mentioned in the reply, along with a note about the models present.

Cause of death under review

Daniel Siad had previously denied all allegations against him. He said he had only introduced women to Epstein through legitimate model castings and did not know the billionaire was committing crimes. According to Siad, he had not supplied either minors or adults who became victims of sexual offences. He also told French television that Epstein had abused his trust and that he was not in a position to recognise the danger.

After his death, French authorities opened an inquiry to determine the cause, and an autopsy has been ordered.

Epstein himself has been dead since 2019, after hanging himself in his cell following a second arrest on serious charges.

Hungarian names emerge in Epstein files: models, recruiters and Eastern Europe