The UK Serious Fraud Office (SFO) is investigating Israeli billionaire and diamond dealer Dan Gertler over the acquisition of copper and cobalt mines in the Congo, "Bloomberg" reports. He is being investigated along with four former Eurasian Natural Resources Corp. (ENRC) executives .
"Bloomberg" says that the SFO has asked the Congolese authorities to provide banking and business records relating to four Congo-registered companies in its investigation into ENRC and nine people including Gertler. "Bloomberg" was shown the letter by a person who asked not to be identified because it hasn’t been released publicly.
The SFO’s probe, according to "Bloomberg" concerns three sets of transactions through which ENRC, then listed on the London Stock Exchange, acquired five mining projects in Congo between 2010 and 2012. The deals may have violated UK laws including the 2010 Bribery Act and the 2006 Fraud Act - offenses punishable by up to 10 years in prison or an unlimited fine.
The SFO told "Bloomberg" that it does not comment on a continuing investigation. Gertler’s Fleurette Group told "Bloomberg" by email that it would not comment on the SFO investigation. "Mr. Gertler has always made it clear that his business dealings in the DRC (Congo) are entirely proper and appropriate. That remains the case. Beyond that, he is not able to comment on allegedly leaked documents."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on December 5, 2016
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