Panama Papers

Danthus · 3 Apr 2016 at 19:58

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-35918844

A huge leak of confidential documents has revealed how the rich and powerful use tax havens to hide their wealth.

Eleven million documents were leaked from one of the world's most secretive companies, Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca.

They show how Mossack Fonseca has helped clients launder money, dodge sanctions and evade tax.

The company says it has operated beyond reproach for 40 years and has never been charged with criminal wrong-doing.

The documents show links to 72 current or former heads of state in the data, including dictators accused of looting their own countries.

They were obtained by the German newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung and shared with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ).

BBC Panorama and The Guardian are among 107 media organisations in 78 countries that have been analysing the documents. The BBC does not know the identity of the source who provided them.

Grabs popcorn.

Destination · 3 Apr 2016 at 20:00

Aye saw this, should be interesting to see what names appear.

NexusK · 3 Apr 2016 at 20:01

Lionel Messi is one.

thebennyboy · 3 Apr 2016 at 20:03

So basically everyone rich is on there? No surprises at all really.

Freakbro · 3 Apr 2016 at 20:07

The company says it has operated beyond reproach for 40 years and has never been charged with criminal wrong-doing.

A big distinction there between claiming you've never done any criminal wrong doing and not having been charged with any

Something I would say is mostly do do with their rich clients and the subsequent light touch of oversight they have been afforded by any authorities

But it's nothing we didn't all know that happens, now if there is some proof of it, lets see if anything happens, somehow I don't think so.

Danthus · 3 Apr 2016 at 20:08

http://www.theguardian.com/world/vi...ver-tax-haven-question-video?CMP=share_btn_tw

Awkward!

Efour · 3 Apr 2016 at 20:08

Who would have thunk it ?

Caged · 3 Apr 2016 at 20:10

http://panamapapers.sueddeutsche.de/en/

https://panamapapers.icij.org/20160403-panama-papers-global-overview.html

2.6 terabytes, lmao. Someone's going to have a terrible day.

Freakbro · 3 Apr 2016 at 20:14

But....what's a tax haven for if not for stashing your ill gotten gains!

Janesy B · 3 Apr 2016 at 20:18

Can't say I am surprised.

Stretch · 3 Apr 2016 at 20:19

Hey look, all the rich people are corrupt, corporations have a disproportional influence on the political system, and the media are part of the problem.

Quell surprise. Nothing will happen. There's to much vested interest.

Or maybe they'll be an "inquiry", aka buy yourself some stalling time in the hope the problem goes away.

Danthus · 3 Apr 2016 at 20:23

jsmoke · 3 Apr 2016 at 20:24

This isn't a revalation. It's not against the law. What's your point?

Danthus · 3 Apr 2016 at 20:26

jsmoke said:
This isn't a revalation. It's not against the law. What's your point?

Money laundering isn't against the law?

Danthus · 3 Apr 2016 at 20:28

Nice to see some UK politicians in the trove of data.

thebennyboy · 3 Apr 2016 at 20:30

OldCoals said:
Nice to see some UK politicians in the trove of data.

Are they Tories? Wouldn't surprise me either.

Caged · 3 Apr 2016 at 20:30

Cameron's dad is named

Malevolence · 3 Apr 2016 at 20:31

I hope to God that there are rocky times ahead for the Panamanian economy, but only because the local currency is the Balboa.

Imagine the possible headlines! :eek:

Danthus · 3 Apr 2016 at 20:33

thebennyboy said:
Are they Tories? Wouldn't surprise me either.

Baroness Sharples, Lord Ashcroft.

Caged · 3 Apr 2016 at 20:33

Malevolence said:
I hope to God that there are rocky times ahead for the Panamanian economy, but only because the local currency is the Balboa.

Imagine the possible headlines!

That would be perfect