PARIS (AFP) - The son of French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius was taken into custody on Tuesday (Dec 15) as part of a probe into forgery, fraud and money laundering, police sources told AFP.

A preliminary investigation into Thomas Fabius's financial affairs was opened in France in 2013, with the police particularly interested in his purchase of a seven million euro (S$10.8 million) Paris apartment.

A police source said the apartment, which was searched on Tuesday, had raised alarms over money laundering.

Thomas Fabius's lawyer confirmed he was in custody but would not comment further.

The 34-year-old son of France's top diplomat is wanted in the United States for allegedly writing bad cheques at a Las Vegas casino.

Thomas Fabius wrote cheques for more than US$3.5 million (S$4.9 million) to cover gambling debts on the night of May 15, 2012, according to an arrest warrant seen in October by AFP.

His father, a former Socialist prime minister, was appointed France's foreign minister in May 2012.

Often photographed at high-flying parties, Thomas has spent millions of dollars in casinos in the past.

His high-profile father received a standing ovation in France's National Assembly on Tuesday for his efforts in negotiating a historic climate deal in Paris agreed by 195 countries.