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.



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SUSPECTED FRAUD AGAINST GOVERNMENT-OWNED BANK

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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