FCC Investigation into Money Laundering: Wendip Appaya Remains in Custody

Businessman Wendip Appaya remains in custody. Investigators from the Financial Crimes Commission (FCC) objected to his conditional release on Thursday, September 4, during his appearance before the Port Louis court this afternoon. The FCC presented two reasons for this objection: the risk of witness interference and the possibility of evidence tampering.

Wendip Appaya has been remanded in police custody until September 9. He faces a provisional charge of money laundering under sections 3 and 36 of the FIAMLA and the FCC Act.

It is important to note that Wendip Appaya was arrested the day before by the FCC as part of an investigation into suspected money laundering. According to investigators, Wendip Appaya allegedly acquired several high-end vehicles between January 2020 and March 2025. These transactions are valued at Rs 79 million. Among the seized vehicles are a McLaren Artura worth Rs 12 million, a BMW M8 of the same value, and a Rs 9 million Range Rover SUV. All vehicles had personalized plates: WA8, W8, and WW8.

The FCC believes that the funding for these vehicles may partially or entirely originate from "proceeds of crime." A "money trail" exercise has traced suspicious financial flows leading to these acquisitions.