French Tech Leader Oussama Ammar Faces Tax Fraud Investigation Amid Cross-Border Legal Battles

Oussama Ammar, cofounder of prominent French startup accelerator The Family, is under investigation by France's National Financial Prosecutor (PNF) for tax fraud and money laundering, according to reports from AFP. The preliminary investigation, launched in 2023 following a complaint from the French finance ministry, adds to mounting legal troubles for the tech entrepreneur who already faces multi-million euro judgments in the UK and Cayman Islands.

"It opened in 2023, we are in 2026, I haven't been formally charged," Ammar told Sifted, maintaining his innocence as prosecutors continue their examination of his financial affairs. The PNF, which handles serious economic and financial crimes in France, initiated the probe after the finance ministry uncovered potential irregularities during routine tax audits.

Background and Context

The Family, established in 2013 alongside Nicolas Colin and Alice Zagury, emerged as one of France's most influential startup organisations, known for its aggressive investment approach and close ties to the French tech ecosystem. The accelerator's relationship with Ammar deteriorated after his departure in 2022, culminating in what industry observers describe as one of French tech's most contentious corporate disputes in recent years.

According to The Family's allegations, Ammar misappropriated millions from the company and its investors—an accusation he vehemently denies. The conflict has triggered legal proceedings spanning three jurisdictions, highlighting the complex challenges of regulating cross-border financial activities in the global startup ecosystem.

Key Figures and Entities

At the center of this dispute stands Oussama Ammar, a charismatic figure who helped shape France's startup landscape during the past decade. The Family, the accelerator he cofounded, continues to pursue multiple legal actions against its former partner, seeking recovery of funds it claims were improperly diverted.

France's National Financial Prosecutor (PNF) represents the state's interest in the tax fraud investigation, working in coordination with the finance ministry, which initially identified potential irregularities. Parallel civil proceedings have already yielded substantial judgments against Ammar, though enforcement of these cross-border awards presents its own set of legal complexities.

Legal and Financial Mechanisms

The PNF's preliminary investigation represents the initial phase of what could become a comprehensive criminal inquiry. French prosecutors use this approach to establish whether sufficient evidence exists to justify a full-scale investigation and potential charges. The finance ministry's complaint typically emerges from discrepancies discovered during tax examinations, suggesting the investigation may focus on undeclared income or assets.

Separately, civil courts have already ruled against Ammar. In the UK, courts found him liable for fraud and breach of fiduciary duty, ordering payment of £6.48 million (€7.56 million) in damages. The Cayman Islands reached a similar conclusion in 2023, with courts requiring Ammar to pay €7.3 million to The Family. These judgments, while significant, remain distinct from the PNF's criminal investigation.

International Implications and Policy Response

The Ammar case underscores the regulatory challenges facing European tech ecosystems as startup funding becomes increasingly international. With entities operating across multiple jurisdictions and financial structures often spanning tax havens, traditional oversight mechanisms struggle to keep pace with sophisticated financial arrangements.

In France, authorities have also opened a criminal procedure for breach of trust, forgery, and money laundering based on complaints from The Family. Ammar was reportedly taken into custody in 2025 as part of this investigation but was released after questioning. "I was let out after a few questions and, for the first time in four years, I was finally able to give my version of events," Ammar wrote on LinkedIn following his release.

The case highlights the growing importance of cross-border regulatory cooperation and transparency in startup financing. As European capitals compete to foster innovation while preventing financial misconduct, the balance between supporting entrepreneurship and enforcing accountability remains contested.

Sources

This report draws on reporting from AFP, Sifted, and court filings from proceedings in the United Kingdom and Cayman Islands between 2022 and 2026. Information regarding the French investigation comes from statements by the National Financial Prosecutor and the French finance ministry.