A 61 year old former citizen of Fiji who is wanted for defrauding the American Government of nine million US dollars between 1995 and last year appeared in the Magistrates Court today.

Anil Vijay Maharaj a businessman who used to reside in Las Vegas is alleged to have evaded millions of US tax dollars and was involved in large money laundering racket, bank fraud, false declaration of bankruptcy, mail fraud and wire fraud.

The US Department of Justice had sought help from the Fiji Police in trying to apprehend the businessman who appeared in the Nevada District Court last year October and was to appear in Court in November again but he managed to escape.

The man was arrested on a bench warrant for evading police and escaping from America.

An application for bail was made which was strongly objected by DPP lawyer Ana Tuiketei.

No plea was taken and he has been remanded in custody till 22nd of the month.