Washington DC – In a coordinated international effort targeting a vast gold smuggling and money laundering network, the United States and the United Kingdom have imposed sanctions on Kamlesh Pattni and a web of associated businesses and individuals.
The US Treasury Department announced the sanctions on Monday, coinciding with International Anti-Corruption Day, highlighting the global reach of the alleged criminal enterprise.
The Treasury Department’s statement detailed a complex scheme allegedly orchestrated by Pattni, who reportedly cultivated a relationship with former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe. The scheme, according to the US Treasury, involved generating cash through the sale of Zimbabwean natural resources in foreign jurisdictions.
The crucial element of the alleged fraud involved overreporting the amount of cash brought back into Zimbabwe, thereby allowing Pattni and his associates to receive compensation on the inflated figures. This, coupled with alleged bribery of Zimbabwean officials, provided protection for their illicit activities.
“Pattni and members of his network engaged in a scheme wherein they would generate cash via the sale of Zimbabwean natural resources in foreign jurisdictions,” the statement read.
“When Pattni and his network would return to Zimbabwe with the cash from the sale of the natural resources, they would over-report the amount of cash being brought back into the country, receive compensation on the overreported cash, and bribe government officials in Zimbabwe to receive protection for their illicit activity.”
The network’s operations spanned multiple countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, and Kyrgyzstan, with entities within these nations also facing sanctions. The Treasury Department highlighted Pattni’s alleged use of bribery to facilitate illicit activities, employing trusted supporters to obscure ownership and creating a complex global network of businesses to conceal the fraudulent scheme. This, the statement claimed, deprived Zimbabwean citizens of the benefits of their country’s natural resources, enriching corrupt officials and criminal actors.
“Across the globe, when corrupt actors like Pattni choose to exploit openings in governance structures to benefit themselves and their cronies, communities suffer and public trust is undermined,” said Acting Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Bradley T. Smith. “Corruption respects no borders and its consequences are felt worldwide. As we mark International Anti-Corruption Day, the United States reaffirms our commitment to use all available tools to hold these individuals to account for their schemes.”
The sanctions target not only Pattni himself but also numerous individuals and companies within his alleged network. Sun Multinational DMCC, ostensibly a legitimate company, is a central component of this network, ultimately owned by Marwa Investments Limited, a company controlled by Pattni’s brother-in-law, Mukesh Manuskhlal Vaya. Swetang Sinha, Sun Multinational’s CEO, identified Pattni as the “group chairman,” and the Treasury Department implicated Sinha in corruption involving President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who was sanctioned earlier this year.
Other key figures within the network include Rahul Sood, Sun Multinational’s managing director, and Mishaal Hitesh Pattni, Pattni’s nephew. Both played significant roles in managing and facilitating the network’s activities across numerous companies.
These companies include Fiza Gold and Bullion Trading L.L.C, Golden Luxury Jewellery Trading L.L.C, Memories Golden Jewellery L.L.C, Ruhmeer Diamonds DMCC, and Sun Star Travel & Tourism L.L.C, all part of the Sun Multinational group. Sood also has interests in Sahara Petroleum PTE. LTD. in Singapore and Precious Bullion DMCC in the UAE, where Mukesh Vaya is an authorised signatory.
The network’s reach extends to other companies controlled by Pattni, including Rubini Investment Group Limited (British Virgin Islands), Samaria Holdings Limited and Suzan General Trading JLT (UAE), and Manurama Limited (Kenya). In Zimbabwe, Pattni has long controlled Suzan General Trading (PVT) LTD. Sanjay Keshavji Vaya, considered Pattni’s “right-hand man” in Zimbabwe, and his son, Raj Vaya Sanjay, are also implicated, with the latter allegedly providing gold and serving as a director on Skorus Investments (PVT) LTD.
David Paul Crosby, another director of Skorus Investments Limited, is also implicated, providing gold and acting as a courier. Crosby controls several companies based in Kyrgyzstan. Dmytro Abakumov, another sanctioned individual, acted as a courier and personal trader for Pattni.
The UK also announced its own sanctions against Pattni and four others, including his wife and brother-in-law, aiming to “disrupt and deter” his business dealings. Pattni’s past includes alleged involvement in the Goldenberg scandal in Kenya, a major gold and currency fraud in the 1990s. While he faced trial in 2006, the proceedings collapsed. He later became a self-proclaimed pastor and moved to Zimbabwe, where he was implicated in Al Jazeera’s investigation into the Zimbabwean “gold mafia,” allegations he denies.
The US sanctions freeze all assets of Pattni and his associates within US jurisdiction, and any entities 50% or more owned by them are also blocked. The Treasury Department warned that individuals engaging in transactions with the sanctioned individuals and entities may also face sanctions or enforcement action.
The coordinated action by the US and UK underscores the seriousness of the allegations and the determination of both governments to combat transnational financial crime.
