U.S. Ambassador Henry V. Jardine

“Financial crimes pose significant risks to the integrity of our institutions”

Historic assignment of an FBI Special Agent to the U.S. Embassy in Mauritius.

Speaking at a workshop on “Investigating and Prosecuting Complex Financial Crimes” held last week in Mauritius, U.S. Ambassador Henry V. Jardine stressed the importance of international collaboration in addressing increasingly complex financial crimes such as money laundering, fraud, and corruption. Participants, including senior officials from various Mauritian law enforcement agencies, engaged in sessions led by FBI experts, focusing on advanced investigative techniques and case studies. 

Last week, the U.S. Embassy in Mauritius and the FBI hosted a workshop titled “Investigating and Prosecuting Complex Financial Crimes,” aimed at enhancing the country’s ability to fight financial crime. Held at the Mauritius Revenue Authority Customs House in Port Louis, the event brought together investigators and prosecutors from key Mauritian agencies, including the Financial Intelligence Unit, the Mauritius Police Force, the Mauritius Revenue Authority, and the Financial Crimes Commission.

The five-day workshop, which began with an opening address by U.S. Ambassador Henry V. Jardine on Monday, highlighted the growing collaboration between Mauritius and the United States in combating financial crime. In his speech, he emphasized the need for international cooperation in dealing with the increasing complexity of these crimes. 

Ambassador Jardine announced the historic assignment of an FBI Special Agent to the U.S. Embassy in Mauritius, marking the first such appointment since the embassy’s opening in 1968. The presence of the FBI Special Agent is part of a broader U.S. strategy to enhance cooperation against transnational crimes in the region. In addition to Mauritius, the U.S. Embassy in Seychelles has also recently received an FBI Special Agent as part of a two-year program focused on capacity building across the Western Indian Ocean, including Seychelles, Madagascar, and Comoros.

By incorporating prosecutorial insights from the outset, cases can be built more effectively, leading to stronger charges and, ultimately, higher conviction rates

“Financial crimes, especially those that are complex and transnational in nature, pose significant risks not only to our economies, but also to the integrity of our institutions. These crimes, ranging from money laundering and corruption to fraud and cyber-enabled offenses, undermine governance, erode public trust, and fuel organized crime. That is why workshops like this are so critical in building our collective capacity to fight back. This workshop represents a significant step in the partnership between the United States and Mauritius aimed at enhancing our collective ability to confront the complexities of financial crime,” the Ambassador said, acknowledging the presence of senior enforcement officials dedicated to addressing this global challenge.

Throughout the workshop, participants explored advanced investigative techniques and real-world case studies. The sessions provided critical insights into the complex networks, multiple jurisdictions, and various actors often involved in financial crimes. “Financial crimes are rarely simple,” stated Henry Jardine. “They often involve intricate networks, and by providing you with insights from real-world cases, we hope to equip you with the skills necessary to unravel these complexities.”

“The methods used by criminals evolve rapidly”

A key focus of the workshop was strengthening cooperation between the different Mauritian agencies involved in combating financial crime. The Ambassador noted that criminal networks often exploit gaps in communication between enforcement bodies, making it crucial for agencies to collaborate effectively. “Strengthening inter-agency cooperation here in Mauritius will ensure that you are better prepared to close those gaps and confront crime more holistically,” he emphasized.

The workshop featured experts from the FBI, including special agents and forensic accountants, who shared their knowledge and best practices with local law enforcement personnel. These experts focused on forensic accounting, digital forensics, and other cutting-edge techniques, providing practical tools for detecting and prosecuting financial crimes. “The methods used by criminals evolve rapidly, and it is essential that law enforcement is equally adaptive,” the Ambassador remarked.

One of the key takeaways of the workshop was the value of involving prosecutors early in investigations. Ambassador Jardine explained that “by incorporating prosecutorial insights from the outset, cases can be built more effectively, leading to stronger charges and, ultimately, higher conviction rates.”

The Ambassador closed his address by encouraging participants to remain engaged and continue sharing their experiences. “This is not just a workshop, but a platform for collaboration, for learning from one another, and for strengthening the ties between the United States and Mauritius as we work together to fight financial crime and corruption,” he stated.