Mozambican "investors" in Portugal are being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on suspicion of money laundering in real estate deals.

In fact, through a letter rogatory, the American justice system has asked the European justice system to collaborate, according to the newspaper Jornal Económico (JE). The investigation is confidential.

The Mozambicans 'in the crosshairs' of the FBI are accused of other crimes such as drug trafficking and facilitating work contracts to grant residence visas to immigrants.

As the Mozambican press recently reported, the Mozambicans include businessman Norolamin "Nuro" Gulam, from the bankrupt Maia Group, in Nacala, Nampula province, and Portuguese-Mozambican João Jorge, who has held important positions in the banking sector at Caixa Geral de Depósito (CGD, the largest Portuguese bank), Banco Português de Investimento (BPI), Banco Comercial e de Investimentos (BCI) and Moza Banco.

"Both were arrested by the FBI more than two weeks ago when they landed in the United States, on suspicion of millionaire fraudulent deals such as the purchase of buildings, luxury apartments and hotels," writes the newspaper. Gulam had been living in Portugal for some years.

The Portuguese Public Prosecutor's Office confirms the request for an investigation by the Mozambicans, but does not provide "clarification on the arrest of Norolamin Gulam and João Jorge".

The newspaper we quote says it has contacted the FBI for clarification about the arrest, and has been referred to seek information from the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

 However, JE reports that the Judicial Police in Lisbon have already searched Norolamin Gulam's home and offices, where money and documents were seized. In Portugal, Gulam opened a recycling company, GM Polymer, supposedly as a front. This is where people acquired work contracts just to facilitate residence visas.

In Portugal, João Jorge had a consultancy company and allegedly provided his services to Gulam's company.