Asset Acquisition - Money Laundering: FCD Convicts Louis John Brant Vivien

The Financial Crimes Division has found Louis John Brant Vivien guilty of four counts of money laundering. His real estate and movable asset acquisitions were found to be significantly beyond his declared income, deemed to have originated from illicit funds tied to criminal activities.

On September 24, 2025, the Financial Crimes Division (FCD) ruled that 42-year-old Louis John Brant Vivien was guilty of four counts of money laundering. He possessed a car purchased for Rs 540,000 and acquired land in Goodlands for Rs 1,026,000. He constructed a three-story residential building valued at Rs 10,790,000 and another two-story building estimated at Rs 5,125,000. The offenses occurred between March 21, 2016, and March 3, 2022, in Goodlands. Sentencing arguments are scheduled for October 22, 2025.

The case revolves around real estate and movable asset acquisitions made between March 21, 2016, and March 3, 2022, for amounts significantly exceeding the declared income of this Goodlands resident.

In her judgment, Magistrate Bibi Razia Jannoo Jaunbocus concluded, after a thorough analysis of the evidence, that the assets were derived from illicit funds linked to criminal activities.

Louis John Brant Vivien faced four charges of money laundering. He owned a Toyota purchased in 2016 for Rs 540,000 and bought land in Goodlands for Rs 1,026,000. He built a three-story building on Rajiv Gandhi Road in Goodlands, valued at Rs 10,790,000, and a two-story residential unit at Résidences Sainte-Claire, estimated at Rs 5,125,000.

This case follows a seizure in November 2016 by the Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit (Adsu), which uncovered Rs 5,078,182.50 in cash hidden in a kitchen cabinet at Louis John Brant Vivien's home in Goodlands.

Defense

Louis John Brant Vivien pleaded not guilty and was defended by Me Samad Golamaully and Tisha Shamloll-Bhoyroo, while the Financial Crimes Commission (FCC) was represented by Me Harivansh Jeeha. During questioning by the FCC, the accused denied any illegal involvement, claiming his income came from small activities: selling colored rocks, scrap metal, vegetables, and running a small business.

However, according to the magistrate, no witness or document credibly validated these claims of income sources.

Despite reporting a net income of Rs 3,439,840 in 2015 and Rs 3,518,699 in 2016, the amounts invested far exceeded his income. A tax assessment revealed undeclared income of Rs 820,642 for 2015, Rs 775,589 for 2016, and Rs 626,620 for 2017.

"Since the predicate crime was committed by the accused in 2016, linked to drug activities, and the accused had no visible legal means of accumulating such substantial funds, it can be inferred that in concluding the transactions he did, he was laundering ill-gotten gains," the court stated.

Assessment

Regarding the property at Résidences Sainte-Claire, the accused claimed it belonged to his deceased mother. However, the court found that documents, including a request for elevation rights dating back to 2009, proved Louis John Brant Vivien was the owner and had participated in its construction.

Two real estate experts evaluated the properties, and their reports confirmed that the invested amounts were inconsistent with the accused's known income.

Magistrate Bibi Razia Jannoo Jaunbocus delivered a guilty verdict against the accused. Sentencing arguments are set for October 22, 2025.

Additionally, Louis John Brant Vivien was fined Rs 500,000 for money laundering before the Financial Crimes Division (FCD) on October 18, 2023. The offense occurred on November 3, 2016, when he was found in possession of Rs 5,168,182.20. He has appealed this verdict.