Six Indian Nationals Charged Over Undeclared Foreign Currency and Alleged Money Laundering in Fiji

Six Indian nationals have been charged in Fiji following the alleged non-declaration of foreign currency worth approximately FJ$183,000 and separate allegations that the funds were derived from unlawful activity.

The six were intercepted by officers from the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) on 12 July 2026 while preparing to leave Fiji. Authorities allege that they were carrying various foreign currencies with a combined value of approximately FJ$183,000 and had not declared the money at the border as required. Detention notices were subsequently issued and the matter was referred to Fiji Police for further investigation.

Initial police inquiries established that the six individuals had travelled to Fiji to participate in a trade show and sell goods. According to the investigation, the money was allegedly generated through their activities while in Fiji. Subsequent inquiries by the Anti-Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Unit resulted in allegations that the funds had instead been obtained through unlawful activity.

Each of the six accused faces two charges. The first is one count of Currency Reporting at the Border under Section 32(1) of Fiji's Financial Transactions Reporting Act 2004. The second is one count of money laundering under Section 69(1), 2(a) and 3(d) of the Proceeds of Crime Act 1997. The six individuals therefore face a total of 12 charges.

The currency reporting charge concerns the alleged failure to declare the foreign currency when leaving Fiji. The separate money laundering charges relate to the allegation that the funds represented proceeds derived from unlawful activity. The charges remain allegations to be determined through the court process.

The accused appeared before the Nadi Magistrates Court on 17 September 2026. The court subsequently granted bail subject to a number of conditions. These include orders preventing the six from leaving Fiji, the surrender of their travel documents, a FJ$1,000 bond, and weekly reporting to Namaka Police Station. They must also observe a daily curfew from 6pm to 6am and cannot change their residential address in Fiji without notifying the court.

The court proceedings are scheduled to continue on 2 October 2026. The individuals' visas were reported to remain valid until 16 October, with arrangements for possible extensions being pursued through the Indian Embassy. Their defence has stated that the six came to Fiji as exhibitors at a trade show in Suva.

The case involves both border currency reporting requirements and Fiji's criminal provisions concerning money laundering. The Financial Transactions Reporting Act 2004 forms part of Fiji's anti-money laundering framework, which has subsequently been amended, including through legislation that commenced in November 2022.

The prosecution of the six individuals remains ongoing. The available information establishes that the foreign currency was allegedly not declared and that investigators allege the funds were connected to unlawful activity, but the money laundering allegations have not been established by a final court determination.

By fLEXI tEAM