FBI Agent Assigned to U.S. Embassy in Mauritius, A Historic First

In a significant development for international law enforcement cooperation, a special agent from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has been assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Mauritius. This marks the first time since the embassy’s establishment in Port-Louis in 1968 that a FBI agent has been stationed on the island.

The FBI personnel will serve as program managers, collaborating closely with local authorities to enhance their capacity to investigate money laundering, corruption, and other transnational crimes.

This agent’s presence in Mauritius represents a crucial step forward in the cooperative efforts between the United States and Mauritius to combat financial crime.

Simultaneously, another FBI agent has been posted to the recently reopened U.S. Embassy in Seychelles, demonstrating a broader commitment to addressing financial crime in the Indian Ocean region.

U.S. Ambassador to Mauritius, Henry Jardine, emphasized the United States’ commitment to supporting governments in the western Indian Ocean in strengthening their investigative and prosecutorial capabilities against money laundering and financial crime.

“The full-time presence of the FBI in both Mauritius and Seychelles underscores our determination to enhance collaborative efforts in the fight against corruption and transnational crime in the region,” Jardine stated during the opening of the workshop at the Customs House of the Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) on September 23.

The workshop, titled “Investigating and Prosecuting Complex Financial Crimes,” will take place from September 23 to 27, 2024, and will focus on practical approaches to financial crime and corruption investigations, interviewing techniques, prosecution strategies, forensic accounting, and social media exploitation.

During the opening ceremony, Sudhamo Lal, the Director-General of the Mauritius Revenue Authority, highlighted the organization’s commitment to enhancing the skills of its personnel by providing them with the necessary tools and techniques for effective outcomes.

“I would like to emphasize the invaluable support from the U.S. Government, through the U.S. Embassy in Mauritius, in strengthening the capabilities of law enforcement officers.

I am confident that participants in this training will acquire new knowledge and skills in investigating and prosecuting complex financial crimes from FBI experts,” Lal remarked.

Source: Defi Media