FBI Joins FCC Mauritius in 3 Major Corruption Investigations

A team of FBI agents recently arrived at the headquarters of the Financial Crimes Commission (FCC) in Réduit Triangle, Mauritius. Their goal: to enhance collaboration between U.S. and Mauritian authorities in fighting corruption and financial crimes. The international experts are providing technical support on several ongoing, sensitive investigations, each handled by specialized FCC units.

This visit builds on years of partnership. After a coordination mission in January 2023 at the International Law Enforcement Academy in Botswana, the FBI and FCC jointly organized a regional workshop in Mauritius in May 2024.

The “Southern Africa Regional Anti-Corruption and Asset Recovery Workshop,” held from May 13 to 17, laid the groundwork for closer expertise sharing, especially on financial tracking and recovering illicit assets.

High-Profile Investigations Underway

The FBI’s presence comes amid major investigations by the FCC, some involving top political figures. Key cases include:

• An ongoing probe into former Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, focusing on suitcases of money, with questions about where the funds came from and how they were intended to be used.
• The arrest of former Finance Minister Renganaden Padayachy, linked to a large investigation into suspicious investments and asset transfers through the Mauritius Investment Corporation.
• An inquiry into former Attorney General Maneesh Gobin, suspected of supporting a controversial land lease project at Eco Deer Park through suspicious regulatory decisions. Conflicts of interest and favoritism are being examined.

With these high-stakes cases, the FCC is taking a strategic step by seeking FBI expertise. The American agents are sharing advanced investigative methods, especially for complex financial and offshore arrangements, as well as sensitive interrogations.

An FCC official explained, “This collaboration aims to strengthen local teams’ ability to handle increasingly sophisticated cases involving offshore schemes, shell companies, and political corruption.”

The FBI’s presence in Mauritius signals a commitment to more rigorous and coordinated investigations, leveraging one of the world’s leading crime intelligence agencies.

Source: l’Express