The Economic and Financial Criminal Division (PPEF) of Côte d'Ivoire has brought to light a vast financial crime case. Five local travel agencies and their directors, all of Indian nationality, face serious charges: tax fraud, money laundering , and violations of the financial regulations of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA ).

The structures targeted by the justice system are:

1. Waheguru Travels
2. Anil Travel Tour (Satiguru Services SARL)
3. Metroways Travel and Tourism
4. OMED Travels Tour
5. Blueberry Travel

What the prosecution is accusing them of

According to the public prosecutor and the state's lawyer, the financial flows linked to the sale of airline tickets contain serious irregularities committed between 2021 and 2022:

1. Concealment of funds: Financial transactions destined for the International Air Transport Association (IATA) were allegedly hidden from Ivorian authorities.
2. Double accounting: The State accuses companies of having set up a parallel accounting system to hide their real income, causing damage estimated at several hundred million FCFA.
3. Capital flight: Undeclared fund transfers have been made abroad, in direct violation of the financial regulations of the WAEMU zone. Money laundering is believed to stem from these tax frauds.

Particularly heavy requisitions

Given the seriousness of the facts, the prosecution and the civil party are demanding exemplary sanctions:

Target	Sanctions and fines required
The Leaders	5 years imprisonment + 5 billion FCFA fine, jointly and severally liable
Companies (Agencies)	65 billion FCFA fine
Damages and interest (for the State)	10 billion FCFA

The defense's position: The defendants' lawyers reject all of these accusations outright, contesting both the prosecution's demands and the financial reparations demanded by the State.

The court will render its final decision on July 22, 2026 .