A United States citizen facing federal wire fraud and money laundering charges over an alleged Ponzi scheme worth more than US$165 million has been deported from Fiji to the United States.
The US Embassy said Edward Zimbardi was deported on August 14 following cooperation between Fiji’s Ministry of Immigration, the Fiji Police Force and several United States law enforcement agencies, according to the U.S. Embassy in Suva.
The operation involved the U.S. Embassy Suva’s Diplomatic Security Service, the U.S. Department of Justice Office of International Affairs and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Zimbardi is accused of involvement in an alleged Ponzi scheme that authorities say victimised thousands of people.
The Embassy said the deportation followed a years-long investigation involving both U.S. and international authorities.
It commended Fiji’s authorities for their handling of the case, praising “the speed and proficiency” of the Ministry of Immigration and Fiji Police Force.
The deportation saw Zimbardi escorted from Fiji by U.S. authorities to face the federal charges in the United States.
