The FBI has unique expertise to investigate and disrupt money laundering

In an exclusive interview with Leah Tanner, a Special Agent for the FBI, we explore the critical role the FBI is playing in combating financial crimes in Mauritius and the broader Western Indian Ocean region. With its unique expertise in investigating and disrupting money laundering, the FBI is working closely with local agencies, including the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), to strengthen investigative capacities and foster greater collaboration.

During a recent workshop on complex financial crimes held in Mauritius, Special Agent Tanner shared insights on the FBI’s ongoing initiatives, the challenges small nations face in tackling financial crime, and how the agency’s efforts are part of a broader strategy to dismantle transnational criminal organizations. She highlights the importance of interagency cooperation, knowledge sharing, and the long-term impact of FBI-led training programs in the region.

What were the key objectives for the workshop on complex financial crimes held in Mauritius this month?

This training – Investigating and Prosecuting Complex Financial Crimes – is just the first offering of the multiple courses planned for the Western Indian Ocean island countries. In addition to the participation of the FBI Special Agents stationed in Mauritius and Seychelles, FBI and Department of Justice subject matter experts on investigating financial crimes, forensic accounting, and prosecuting financial crimes have been brought here to share their knowledge and experience with the participants. Our goals for the course include promoting cooperation and collaboration across agencies, as well as providing investigators a hands-on experience utilizing advanced investigative techniques. 

Could you elaborate on the specific challenges that countries like Mauritius face when investigating and prosecuting financial crimes, and how the workshop addresses them?

Mauritius has taken many steps to combat money laundering, corruption, and financial crimes over the last few years. They are keenly aware of the growing impact this illicit activity is having on their economy.

In your view, how significant is the presence of an FBI Special Agent in Mauritius, and how will this contribute to the fight against financial crimes in the region?

The FBI has unique capabilities and expertise to investigate, analyze, and disrupt money laundering. Thus, as a part of this effort, the FBI has assigned Special Agents to both Mauritius and Seychelles to serve as Program Managers working full-time with host-country government agencies for a period of two years.

The mentoring and training provided by the FBI will enhance regional law enforcement investigative capacities while also increasing our collaboration on transnational threats, including money laundering, terrorism financing, corruption, drug trafficking and complex financial crimes.

The FBI and the Mauritius Police Force have worked together for well over twenty-five years

How does the FBI plan to engage with local agencies like the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to strengthen investigative capacities?

The Financial Intelligence Unit has been a fantastic partner of the FBI for many years. They have assisted on cases of mutual interest between the U.S. and Mauritius, and have provided a unique perspective into the unique financial system here in Mauritius. The FBI will continue to work closely with the FIU on joint cases and identify areas where future training may be beneficial to strengthen the investigative capabilities of FIU analysts.  

The FBI and Department of Justice look forward to working with the ODPP to showcase best practices currently employed in the United States for collaborative work between investigators and prosecutors. Through the DOJ Trial Attorney present for the training, and future mentoring visits, Mauritian prosecutors will be presented with real-world examples of successful collaboration with investigators, resulting in successful prosecutions on complex investigations.

The workshop is part of a two-year program targeting the Western Indian Ocean region, including countries like Seychelles and Madagascar. Could you explain the broader goals of this regional initiative?

The overall goal of the program is to strengthen law enforcement cooperation and build investigative capacity with host nation partners to disrupt criminals and transnational organized crime groups from using the Western Indian Ocean countries as platforms for money laundering and corruption. The program is part of a broader partnership with the U.S. Embassy, FBI, and U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), aimed at supporting anti-money laundering, transnational organized crime, and anti-corruption efforts in the Western Indian Ocean region, including Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar, and Comoros. This FBI program is part of INL’s regional East Africa Transnational Organized Crime program to dismantle transnational criminal organizations and deter malign actors by improving regional partners’ maritime, law enforcement, and justice sector capacity. The workshop marks the beginning of a two-year program that will see multiple training sessions in Mauritius and other Western Indian Ocean countries. The program will promote cooperation among regional law enforcement agencies, provide direct case mentoring, and enhance agency capacity to investigate and prosecute corruption and complex financial crimes effectively. 

Given the rise in transnational crimes and corruption, how is the FBI adapting its strategies to ensure effective collaboration with law enforcement agencies in smaller nations?

The FBI partners with law enforcement agencies across the globe, large and small, in the fight against transnational organized crime. The FBI maintains law enforcement attachés at embassies and consulates in over 180 countries to promote strong communication, information sharing and cooperation with its partners, and is well positioned to act as a conduit between investigators in different countries who may not otherwise be able to establish those connections. Working with law enforcement in smaller nations is not new for the FBI. The FBI and the Mauritius Police Force have worked together for well over twenty-five years. In fact, the FBI is honored to have had five officers from the Mauritius Police Force graduate from its National Academy at Quantico, Virginia, dating back to its first graduate in 1998. Beyond the academic opportunities for its graduates, the National Academy provides an opportunity for law enforcement leaders across the world to develop lifelong partnerships.  

What role does the U.S. Department of Justice play in these workshops, and how do they complement the FBI’s efforts?

Department of Justice prosecutors work hand in hand with the FBI on a daily basis. This partnership carries over into training as prosecutors and investigators come together to provide a comprehensive outlook into collaborating on complex investigations. The workshop has emphasized the international best practice of extensive collaboration between investigators and prosecutors throughout all stages of the investigation and prosecution of complex financial crimes.

The DOJ Trial Attorney provided the workshop participants with valuable insights on the manner in which investigations should be conducted and the types of evidence which should be collected to increase the likelihood of a successful prosecution. 

What long-term impact do you expect the workshop to have on local law enforcement, both in terms of skill development and operational effectiveness?

This workshop was to enhance the in-house capabilities of Mauritian prosecutors and law enforcement to improve interagency coordination and increase the number of prosecutions of complex financial crime cases. The training provided by the FBI will also increase Mauritian law enforcement’s collaborative activities with U.S. law enforcement components, resulting in an expanded pipeline for criminal intelligence sharing and parallel investigations.

How does the FBI plan to measure the success of these workshops and initiatives in reducing money laundering and corruption in the region?

Success will be measured by a variety of metrics, including the number of investigations that are identified and opened; investigations that result in criminal charges; whether criminal charges lead to a just resolution in court; the identification of illicit assets and the seizure of those assets; and the continued law enforcement information sharing and collaboration between the United States and Mauritius.