TRACING and recovering the proceeds of crime is a central strategy for disrupting money laundering and serious financial crime in Fiji, according to the National Policy on Preventing Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing released by the Fiji Intelligence Unit (FIU).
The policy says targeting illicit assets linked to the top five crimes contributing to money laundering risk is critical to stripping criminals of their gains and reinforcing the integrity of the justice system.
Among the top five crimes identified are narcotics-related crime, organised criminal activity and taxation and customs offences.
Under the Proceeds of Crime (POC) framework, authorities are empowered to identify, trace, freeze and confiscate assets linked to serious offences — not only money laundering and terrorist financing, but a broader range of criminal activity.
The FIU says authorities may freeze and seize assets linked to crime, apply for forfeiture orders following a conviction or where a suspect has absconded, recover property used in or gained from offences such as fraud and drug trafficking, and forfeit illicit assets without a criminal conviction if they are proven to be tainted.
The policy also notes that confiscation provisions exist in other legislation, particularly for crimes such as illegal logging and illegal fishing.
Applications for restraint and forfeiture orders are made to the courts by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption.
The High Court has primary jurisdiction over applications for forfeiture and confiscation orders under the POC framework.
The FIU says strengthening asset recovery efforts remains a key pillar of Fiji’s national response to money laundering and organised financial crime.
