Officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said they are now involved in the matter concerning those two Bahamian men who were arrested in Belize last Friday in connection to a $500 million fraud scheme.

In a statement issued Monday afternoon, officials acknowledged that there has been considerable public interest in the arrests of 29-year-old Rohn Knowles and 34-year-old Kelvin Leach on September 12 adding that the inquiries have centred on the assistance of The Bahamas government to those citizens and the reported decision by a US judicial authority to indict the two Bahamians for various offences.

“The Bahamas is represented in Belize by Honorary Consul Jacqueline Marshallek,” the release added. “Mrs. Marshallek is fully aware and engaged with the matter. The families of the individuals have been in contact with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“All the usual diplomatic and consular services have been and will be provided for the individuals as the ministry would do for any Bahamian citizen.”

The Bahamian men, along with four other men were named in an indictment where they are accused of a list of charges including conspiracy to commit securities fraud, tax fraud, and money laundering.

Their companies were also named in the indictment.

Those that are registered in Belize are Titan International Securities, Inc., Legacy Global Markets which has a San Pedro Address, and Unicorn International Securities.

The indictment said they are accused of a list of charges including conspiracy to commit securities fraud, tax fraud, and money laundering valued at $500 million.

A release from the US Department of Justice alleges the accused companies and persons used to break US tax laws.