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Navigating the Offshore Maze

Karrie Kehoe (ICIJ)

International Consortium of Investigative Journalists

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  • Tax evasion
  • Sanctions evasion
  • Money laundering
  • Political donations

Why do people want to hide money and assets?

bit.ly/nicar-irs

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  • Shell companies - possible public records
  • Crypto assets - Blockchain
  • Family trusts - Very difficult

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Tools for hiding assets

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  • A legal arrangement for managing assets
  • Set up by a solicitor or lawyer
  • Holding vehicle for cash, property, shares and other assets

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What is a Trust?

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  • Trustee - legal owner of the assets in the trust
  • Beneficiaries - Benefit from the trust
  • Settlor - Decides how the assets should be used

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Components of a Trust

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  • Property records
  • Forms in Solicitors’ offices
  • UK Trust Registration Service
  • Offshore Leaks Database

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Where can you find trusts?

bit.ly/nicar-irs

Trust Registration Service (TRS)

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  • Trustee - legal owner of the assets in the trust
  • Beneficiaries - Benefit from the trust
  • Settlor - Decides how the assets should be used

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Components of a Trust

bit.ly/nicar-irs

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  • Property records
  • Forms in Solicitors’ offices
  • Court records
  • UK Trust Registration Service
  • Offshore Leaks Database

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Where can you find trusts?

bit.ly/nicar-irs

Trust Registration Service (TRS)

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bit.ly/nicar-irs

Trust Registration Service (TRS)

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bit.ly/nicar-irs

Trust Registration Service (TRS)

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  • Property records
  • Forms in Solicitors’ offices
  • UK Trust Registration Service
  • Offshore Leaks Database

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Where can you find trusts?

bit.ly/nicar-irs

Trust Registration Service (TRS)

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  • Property records
  • Forms in Solicitors’ offices
  • UK Trust Registration Service
  • Offshore Leaks Database

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Court records

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Please get in touch if you have any questions

kkehoe@icij.org

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Thank you!