Six Indian nationals found with undeclared cash amid suspected money-laundering probe

An investigation into a local prominent businessman and six Indian nationals over their alleged links to a suspected money-laundering syndicate is underway.

Ministry of Immigration permanent secretary Aliki Salusalu confirmed the six men were from India and were believed to have come to Fiji to sell products at a showcase in Suva two months ago.

They were found with large sums of undeclared cash at Nadi International Airport earlier this year.

This masthead understands the investigation is being conducted in two parts:

• determining whether the six men breached Fiji’s requirements for declaring large amounts of cash at the border; and
• establishing where they obtained or exchanged the money.

Investigators are also looking into whether the business involved is a registered foreign exchange dealer recognised by the Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF).

Mr Salusalu said an alert was issued on the six men and further red flags emerged when they were found with undeclared cash.

“We got an alert from police and customs officers that some of these Indian nationals are suspected of being part of the money laundering syndicate,” he said.

“They were stopped at the border and were found with a large sum of cash that was not declared.

“The police continue to investigate these foreign nationals, and they let us know if they suspect these groups to be part of the syndicate.”

Under the Financial Transactions Reporting Act 2006, anyone travelling into or out of Fiji carrying cash, currency or negotiable bearer instruments valued at $10,000 or more, or the foreign currency equivalent, must declare it to border and customs officials.

Fiji Police Force spokesperson Ana Naisoro confirmed to this masthead that the investigation was ongoing.

The list of authorised foreign exchange dealers available on the RBF’s website does not include the name of the businessman in question.

The RBF has also issued a statement to police and declined to comment further on the matter.

This masthead sought comment from the businessman, but staff members said he was overseas for surgery.

It remains unclear whether the six foreign nationals are still in Fiji.