Organization

- Financial Intelligence Unit

The Cook Islands Financial Intelligence Unit, or CIFIU, is located on the main island of Rarotonga, the capital and the main business centre of the Cook Islands. It is an Independent Ministry of the Cook Islands Government, a specialized agency created to collect, analyse and disseminate financial information and intelligence on suspected money laundering , the financing of terrorism activities and other serious offences to the appropriate authorities in the Cook Islands and internationally approved organizations or countries. It is also tasked to regulate and conducted compliance examinations of all registered Reporting Institutions in the Cook Islands as required by the Financial Transactions Reporting Act 2004.

The unit’s primary functions are intelligence gathering and evaluation of compliance through examination processes. The two roles are distinct but complimentary. The intelligence function includes the receipt, analysis, dissemination and, where appropriate, referral to law enforcement for investigation. The compliance function includes powers to examine and, where appropriate and authorised by the Head, enforcement of compliance through sanctions and penalties.

- Our Mandate

The FIU was established to facilitate the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of money laundering, the financing of terrorism and other serious offences in the Cook Islands.

- Our Mission

CIFIU’s Mission is to contribute to the national, regional and global fight against money laundering, the financing of terrorism and other serrious crimes by enhancing the anti-money laundering and the counter financing of terrorism regime in the Cook Islands.

- Our Mission Statement

At the Financial Intelligence Unit, we strive to be a leader in the prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing activities and thus contributing towards a safe and stable financial and economic environment.

We embrace this mission through compliance examination, information collection, analysis and cooperation in the dissemination of information on suspected money laundering and the financing of terrorism activities and other serious crimes thus supporting the domestic and international law enforcement investigative efforts.

- Our Vision
Our Vision is to be a leader in providing timely and high quality financial intelligence in the global fight against money laundering and the financing of terrorist activities and threats to the economy of the Cook Islands, while ensuring the protection of the information it holds.

- Our Location

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- Structure

Staff Profile

Head of FIU
                                                                                               

Bob Williams graduated from the University of the South Pacific in 2002 with a Degree in Management, Public Administration and Economics and joined the FIU in 2005 after serving 16 years in the Cook Islands Police and a year as a regulator with the Financial Supervisory Commission in 2004.

In April 2007, he became a member of the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists.  

Intelligence & IT Officer

Walter Henry graduated from the University of the South Pacific
In 2000 with a Degree in Management, Public Administration and
Economics and joined the FIU in 2002 after serving 16 years in the
Cook Islands Police.

Senior Compliance Officer (Vacant)

Compliance Officer

Francis Tamangaro joined the FIU in 2006 after serving 7 years
with Westpac Bank in the Cook Islands.