Financially motivated crimes

Council raises concern

THE National Anti-Money Laundering Council is concerned about the nature and number of financially motivated crimes recently reported in Fiji, said council chairman, permanent secretary for Justice and Solicitor-General, Ropate Green.

Mr Green said it was important that Fiji has strong laws and institutions in place to fight the problem of financial crime.

“These institutions also need to have competent and properly equipped officials who can detect, investigate and prosecute financial crimes and to trace and confiscate the illicit wealth generated by these crimes,” he said.

“The council is fully committed to addressing these deficiencies by working with relevant agencies and with technical assistance from international partners.

“The council provides advice to the Minister for Justice on key laws in Fiji relating to crime prevention and detection.”

The council also facilitates co-ordination between relevant government agencies to ensure the detection, investigation

The council is fully committed to addressing these deficiencies by working with relevant agencies and with technical assistance from international partners

– Solicitor-General Ropate Green

and prosecution of money laundering and other serious financial crimes in Fiji.

Members of the council are the permanent secretary for Justice, Governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji, Director of Public Prosecutions, Commissioner of Police, chief executive officer of the Fiji Revenue and Customs Services and Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit.