US probes Oracle on African deals

Agents in Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) Washington field office and fraud prosecutors in the Justice Department’s Criminal Division are handling a criminal investigation, which has been underway for at least a year, the Journal reported.

Attorneys at Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) are also investigating for possible civil violations, sources said. The authorities are investigating the Redwood Shores,
California-based company’s software sales in Western and Central African countries, the report said. The agencies are also examining whether Oracle employees or agents acting on the company’s behalf made improper payments in Africa to secure sales of database and applications software, sources said.