Last Updated on October 7, 2024, 1:13 AM AST by Anthony Morris
Following emerging concerns, the Caribbean JRCC has taken a more active role in overseeing due diligence firms working with the Citizenship by Investment Units. Daniel Smith, JRCC spokesperson, revealed that the Centre has recently blacklisted Globe Detective Agency Private Limited, an India-based firm, from operating in the Caribbean.
According to Smith, the decision was prompted by alarming reports that the agency had been offering commissions to individuals within the CBI Units to secure more applications for vetting—a practice that raises significant security and ethical concerns. The agency in question is now banned to work as a third-party due diligence agency on any of the five Caribbean citizenship by investment programmes.
In response to recent misconduct allegations, the JRCC would soon issue a directive to the heads of all CBI Units across the Caribbean. The JRCC is mandating that these leaders send formal letters to their associated third-party due diligence agencies, demanding assurances that none of their personnel have engaged in offering commissions to get more contracts.
Notably, he added that any due diligence agencies who paid commissions previously and found guilty will also be blacklisted.
Smith emphasized the severity of this issue, stating that “any agency found guilty of such infractions could face severe penalties, including permanent disqualification from operating as a background check agency in any country offering the CBI programme.”
Despite the blacklisting on Globe Detective Agency by the JRCC, the agency’s name has continued to appear as a due diligence partner on the official website of the Saint Lucia Citizenship by Investment Program (CIP).
An official from the Saint Lucian CIP clarified in a statement that while Globe Detective Agency had previously collaborated with the unit, they are no longer active participants in their programme and the unit does not forward any application to them currently.
The official assured that the outdated information would be corrected and the agency’s name removed from the website immediately.
The Joint Regional Communications Centre (JRCC) will engage with the CBI Units to enhance the scrutiny of citizenship applicants in Caribbean nations that offer the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programme.
Smith confirmed that the organization is collaborating closely with regional CBI units and their heads to strengthen the background checks process, aiming to extend the integrity and security of the citizenship programmes across the Caribbean. This move reflects a growing emphasis on rigorous due diligence practices amid increasing global mobility and security concerns.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
