Maputo, 30 May (AIM) – The Mozambican Central Office for Combating Organized and Transnational Crime (GCCCOT) has opened criminal cases against 40 nationals and foreign individuals, as well as 15 companies accused of being involved in money laundering, including the illegal export of over 330 million dollars.
According to a GCCCOT statement, the crackdown is part of the efforts to prevent and combat money laundering.
The defendants’ modus operandi, the note says, was to set up shell companies and use them as a vehicle for exporting capital. The sums involved were of “doubtful and illegal origin, and, in some cases, unknown origin”.
“Between 2019 and 2023, the defendants illegally exported an amount totalling 330.24 million dollars. In order to achieve their aims, in collaboration with some customs brokers and certain bank employees, they falsified the Bank Intermediation Terms and Customs Clearance Processes that they used to export capital, under the pretext of importing goods into various countries, mainly those regarded as tax havens.
The defendants are accused of money laundering; forgery of documents; tax fraud; abuse of fiscal trust; criminal conspiracy and the use of false documents.
Searches were made in homes and commercial establishments belonging to the defendants, located in Nampula, Nacala, Matola and Maputo. Five citizens were detained, and a variety of documents and objects were seized, said the GCCCOT document.
During the investigation, says the note, International Legal and Judicial Co-operation was activated with 12 countries identified as recipients of the funds, with a view to mutual legal assistance and the recovery of assets.
At the moment, the case file on the arrested defendants is being submitted to the investigating judge for initial questioning, and efforts are continuing to detain more of those involved.
(AIM)
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