Shell under US probe for 'graft rule breach'

Royal Dutch Shell Plc said it was under investigation by US authorities for potential breaches of overseas bribery rules.

"Shell is currently under investigation by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and the United States Department of Justice for violations of the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act," the company said in its 2008 annual report.

Last year Shell said a US subsidiary had been "contacted" by the DoJ about potential violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.