Business

Mauritius Commercial Bank faces lawsuit over check fraud

Mauritius Commercial Bank is facing a lawsuit over an alleged fraudulent check that led to the embezzlement of over USD1 million from the state owned utility company Fenaka.

Fenaka had released MVR17 million to purchase the equivalent sum in USD to a local speedboat firm Sharu Launch Services based on a dated check stamped by MCB.

However, the check had bounced and Fenaka is yet to receive the money.

The then Fenaka managing director Mohamed Nimal was transferred shortly after the incident was made public and is now looking to sue both MCB and the speedboat company.

Nimal who has now been appointed as the deputy tourism minister told 'Avas' Monday that he has been forced to fend off graft allegations because the money had gone while he was in charge.

Nimal said that he feels it was his personal responsibility to recover the money and vowed to file the lawsuit before the end of the week.

"It is an immense amount that has gone missing, and that money is much needed for FENAKA's projects. Even though I'm no longer a member of FENAKA, I still believe that it is my personal responsibility to get that money back for the company. As there was a stamp of guarantee by the Mauritius Banks, the charges will be filed against them as well as Sharu Launch Services. We are discussing the legal proceedings with my lawyers," Nimal explained.

Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) and the police are also investigating the incident.

Nimal said in his Facebook status as an answer to this allegation that some people presume the current management went to the police regarding this case. He wrote that he was the one to press the issue to the police, and that no matter what his critics say, he is free of any wrongdoings.

"Leave the critics to say what they will about me. I did my job to the best of my ability. There is no doubt in this. When the time comes, I will prove this," Nimal said.

A senior official of Sharu Launch Services had been reportedly arrested in connection to the case.