DJIBOUTI: REQUEST BY PROSECUTOR-GENERAL FOR INVESTIGATIVE

UNCLAS DJIBOUTI 001043 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR DS/IP/AF AND DS/CR/CIL ADDIS AND SANAA FOR LEGATT E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC ECON PREL KCRM FBI DJ SUBJECT: DJIBOUTI: REQUEST BY PROSECUTOR-GENERAL FOR INVESTIGATIVE ASSISTANCE ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUEST. Post requests FBI assistance to investigate suspected fraud against the Djibouti-based "Banque pour le Commerce et L'industrie Mer Rouge" (Red Sea Bank for Commerce and Industry, or "BCI-MR"),which also involves several U.S.-based financial institutions and commercial entities. The Government of Djibouti's (GODJ) office of the Prosecutor-General (attorney-general equivalent) has formally requested USG assistance to investigate this matter. END SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUEST. ¶2. (SBU) The Government of Djibouti's office of the Prosecutor-General has formally requested USG assistance to investigate suspected fraud against BCI-MR in Djibouti. In February 2009, BCI-MR sent a sealed DHL package containing 500 American Express traveler's checks, each in a denomination of 1000 USD (totaling 500,000 USD) to Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas in New York City. American Express confirms that all of these traveler's checks sent to Deutsche Bank have been paid; however, Deutsche Bank only confirms receipt of 30 checks (i.e., out of 500 sent via DHL from Djibouti to New York). ¶3. (SBU) The DHL package was sent in February 2009 (DHL tracking number: 3526112730). American Express check number sequence: GB 324 527 531-630 GB 324 527 631-730 GB 324 527 731-830 GB 324 527 831-930 GB 324 527 931-GB 324 528 030 ¶4. (SBU) RSO, LEGATT Sanaa, and A/LAT have met with Djiboutian officials, including Maki Omar Abdoulkader (representing the Government of Djibouti's Prosecutor-General) to discuss this suspected defrauding of BCI-MR. -------------- SUSPECTED FRAUD AGAINST GOVERNMENT-OWNED BANK -------------- ¶5. (SBU) The GODJ states that it has not been able to get any answers from any U.S.-based institution (e.g., American Express, DHL, and Deutsche Bank) regarding the apparent loss of 470,000 USD. In a meeting with RSO, LEGATT, and BCI-MR officials, the Mr. Abdoulkader stated, "I realize this is not a large amount of money in the eyes of the U.S., but for a small country like Djibouti this is very serious." (NOTE. BCI-MR is partially owned by the Government of Djibouti, which holds a one-third stake in the bank. END NOTE.) ¶6. (SBU) Point of contact for this report is Regional Security Officer Ellen Tannor, tel: (253) 353-995, ext 2307. WONG