Mauritius 2025 – multiple cases of money laundering, fraud, corruption, and other high-level criminal activities being investigated

LEXPRESS.MU HAS REPORTED:-

• A worrying series of investigations by the Mauritian Financial Crimes Commission (FCC) that has shaken the political scene and the police force since January 2025
• January was marked by a series of spectacular investigations by the FCC, revealing severe cases of money laundering, fraud, corruption and other high-level criminal activities.
• These investigations have brought to light questionable practices in various sectors and led to arrests shaking the country.

LEXPRESS.MU (and other news outlets) HAS IDENTIFIED THE FOLLOWING NOTABLE FCC-RELATED CASES OF 2025 – these are summarised below, and the article is here:-

• https://lexpress.mu/node/543181?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=LinkedIn#Echobox=1741554456  

ARREST OF PRAVIND JUGNAUTH: A POLITICAL COUP DE THÉÂTRE

1. February 15 was marked by the arrest of former Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth on money laundering charges. This arrest was a real shock for the country, shaking the foundations of the Militant Socialist Movement (MSM).
2. Jugnauth was arrested after Josian Deelawon revealed that he had received several suitcases containing Rs 114 million, which he alleges belonged to the former Prime Minister.
3. This discovery has led to an extensive investigation by the FCC, seeking to determine these funds' origin and legality. In addition, Chandradeo Oomah was arrested after revealing that Deelawon had entrusted him with suitcases containing foreign currency, valuable watches, and receipts from hotels where the Jugnauths were staying in England.
4. Other people, such as Devianee Ramchurn, Devianee's daughter and Sanjiv Ramdenee, the brother of Kobita Jugnauth, Josian Deelawon's brother, were also interviewed as part of this investigation.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c23n317vl7ko  

RAO RAMAH: INTERROGATION FOLLOWING IRREGULARITIES AT THE NATIONAL TRANSPORT COMPANY

1. On January 9, 2025, another critical case emerged with the FCC's investigation into irregularities within the National Transportation Company (CNT).
2. Rao Ramah, the former director of the CNT, was questioned after searches of his residences in Albion and Curepipe, during which several electronic devices were seized.
3. The investigation focuses on dubious contracts awarded by the CNT, including those worth Rs 90 million since 2021, following anonymous complaints denouncing favouritism practices in awarding these contracts.
1. https://lexpress.mu/s/le-pere-de-rao-ramah-au-coeur-de-lenquete-de-la-fcc-541587

YINKA ADERIBIGBE: NIGERIAN MAN ARRESTED AFTER LARGE-SCALE SCAM

1. On January 8, 2025, Yinka Aderibigbe, a 37-year-old Nigerian man, was arrested for his role in a large-scale scam.
2. He is suspected of having extorted Rs 1.2 million from 79 Mauritian victims, promising them exceptional financial returns through cryptocurrency investments.
3. Aderibigbe, posing as an expert, is said to have used social networks, including Facebook, to convince Internet users to transfer funds before disappearing with the money.
4. During the search of his home in Pérey bère, the police discovered a Mercedes and a book entitled Money Hackers.

1. 1. https://lexpress.mu/s/la-fcc-demantele-une-arnaque-de-rs-12-million-541438

SHAM MATHURA: MOCK TRAINING FOR HRDC PUBLIC FUNDS

1. On January 23, Sham Mathura, CEO of the BSP School of Accountancy and Management, was arrested by the FCC for his involvement in a 2017 money laundering scandal.
2. The investigation focuses on the misuse of public funds allocated by the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC).
3. The BSP School is said to have fraudulently obtained Rs 144,000 for fictitious training for students who never received the promised training.
4. Mathura was charged and released on bail of Rs 25,000 and an IOU of Rs 200,000.
1. https://lexpress.mu/s/sham-mathura-arrete-pour-abus-presumes-de-fonds-publics-541826

JAISSEN ARNASALA AND COLLEAGUES: POLICE OFFICERS SUSPECTED OF EXTORTION

1. On 9 February, a group of police officers, including Hutesh Seeboruth, Avinash Mahadeo, Satiananda Pillay Anamalay and Nilesh Sooklall of the DCIU unit, were arrested on extortion charges.
2. These police officers are accused of having extorted Rs 1.6 million from Iqbal Ramchurn, a resident of Fond-du-Sac, during a search of his home.
3. Although no incriminating items were found, the police reportedly seized a large sum of money and demanded compensation to drop the investigation.
4. Sergeant Jaissen Arnasala, who led the team, was arrested on 3 March upon his return to Mauritius.
5. However, he denies having taken money from this businessman.

1. 1. https://lexpress.mu/s/jaissen-arnasala-identifie-lors-dune-confrontation-543064

RAKESH AND PRAMESHWAR GOOLJAURY: TOXIC LOANS FROM MAUBANK
1. Rakesh Gooljaury and his brother Prameshwar Gooljaury were involved in a scandal linked to toxic loans granted by the former MPCB, now MauBank.
2. These loans, totalling Rs 1.5 billion, were granted to four business people.
3. The FCC is investigating possible money laundering and the two brothers have been arrested.
4. Rakesh Gooljaury was arrested on his arrival at Plaisance Airport after a stay in India.
   a. https://newsmoris.com/2025/02/06/fcc-gooljaury-arrested-over-alleged-rs-1-5-billion-money-laundering/ 

 DALIDA ALLAGAPEN: THE PURCHASE OF MOLNUPIRAVIR

1. On 19 February 2025, Dalida Allagapen, former Senior Chief Executive of the Ministry of Health and sister of former Minister Alan Ganoo, was summoned to the FCC for questioning as part of an investigation into the purchase of the drug Molnupiravir, which is used to treat Covid-19.
2. The investigation concerns the tendering procedure and the contract award for this purchase, which is suspected of being influenced by corrupt practices and conflicts of interest.
1. https://newsmoris.com/2025/02/19/molnupiravir-scandal-deepens-senior-health-official-returns-to-fcc/

MANEESH GOBIN: THE CONTROVERSIAL ALLOCATION OF A PLOT OF LAND IN GRAND-BASSIN  

1. On February 28, the FCC questioned Maneesh Gobin, a former attorney general, as part of an investigation into the disputed allocation of 350 acres of land to the Eco Deer Park Association.
2. This case raises allegations of Rs 3.5 million in bribes in exchange for granting this land.
3. Gobin was released on bail of Rs 250,000 and an IOU of Rs 5 million.
1. https://lexpress.mu/s/why-the-extra-parliamentary-oppositions-embrace-of-private-prosecutions-is-a-losing-game-529369
2. https://english.lematinal.media/vivek-pursun-initiates-private-prosecution-against-gobin-and-dhaliah/

Source Links above plus

• https://lexpress.mu/node/543181?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=LinkedIn#Echobox=1741554456
•  https://fcc.mu/about-the-fcc/