Sandeep Singh, the man who fronted a proposed casino on behalf of Asian investors, says Investment Fiji, the Trade Ministry, the former attorney-general and the Methodist Church were duped by those involved in the project.
Mr Singh said it’s been confirmed his clients did not operate any gambling facility in any country.
Mr Singh has filed a complaint with FICAC against those involved, claiming he was provided the “wrong information” to register them here.
He said he had subsequently severed all ties with the project.
“As a project consultant, I would like to inform you that after due diligence of the investment project, I am announcing that no further consultation on the project will be considered,” Mr Singh said.
“The project consultation was accepted due to the developments associated with the investment for our country and in accordance with the Gaming Act of 2009.”
Mr Singh, who has named two persons for reference to FICAC, said there had also been no official application for a licence.
He said the group had been portrayed as operating a large casino and hotels in Macau and other countries, and that he had shared their business booklets with the Methodist Church board, the Ministry of Trade, Investment Fiji and Office of the Attorney-General.
“The same booklet and a video presentation which portrayed false information was given to Investment Fiji — for obtaining an invitation letter and securing the meeting with the minister.”
Mr Singh said verification checks conducted in the Philippines, Australia and South Korea came out negative, and that the group “does not operate any gambling facility in any country at the time of this engagement”.
Questions sent to FICAC have remained unanswered.
