The Financial Investigation Agency Act, 2003 came into force on 1st April 2004. The Act established the British Virgin Islands Financial Investigation Agency as an autonomous law enforcement agency generally responsible for the investigation of white collar and other serious financial crimes taking place within or from within the Territory, including money laundering offences. The Agency’s role also encompasses processing requests for legal assistance from authorities in foreign jurisdictions as well as acting as receiver of all disclosures of information required to be made pursuant to the relevant financial services legislation.

The establishment of the Agency is in accordance with current international trends aimed at combating money laundering, terrorist financing and other financial and financial-related crimes as well as ensuring international co-operation in the investigation and prosecution of such crimes.