Unveiling Hidden Global Wealth – The OSINT Guide

The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) Offshore Leaks database offers an unprecedented window into the opaque world of offshore finance. The database, built from five major leaks, exposes the intricate web of secret offshore entities, shell companies, and trusts that serve as vehicles for tax evasion, money laundering, and financial secrecy. It contains information on over 810,000 offshore entities and more than 750,000 names of individuals and companies linked to these secretive structures.

Origins of the Offshore Leaks Database

The Offshore Leaks database consolidates data from multiple investigative projects conducted by ICIJ, which include:

• Pandora Papers (2021)
• Paradise Papers (2017–2018)
• Bahamas Leaks (2016)
• Panama Papers (2016)
• Offshore Leaks (2013)

This massive trove of information, gathered from whistleblowers, hacked documents, and collaborative investigations with media partners, covers over 200 countries and territories. The dataset reveals the identities behind offshore entities and strips away the layers of secrecy that often surround the ownership of companies in tax havens.

What the Database Reveals

The Offshore Leaks database provides details about the ownership and connections of offshore companies and trusts. It is an interactive tool that connects people and companies with these entities, often revealing the names of real owners or individuals involved in complex offshore structures. These structures are frequently used to obscure the true identities of the people benefiting from them.

For instance, in many cases, companies are listed as shareholders of other companies, which adds layers of secrecy and makes it difficult to trace the ultimate beneficiary. Through this tool, ICIJ enables the public, journalists, researchers, and law enforcement to access important information about global financial secrecy.

Highlights of the Offshore Leaks Database

• 810,000+ offshore entities: Companies and trusts incorporated in secrecy jurisdictions are revealed, stripping away their anonymity.
• 200+ countries and territories: Links to individuals and corporations in countries across the globe, highlighting the global reach of offshore finance.
• 750,000+ names: People and entities connected to offshore structures, including owners, proxies, and intermediaries, are named, offering transparency into their operations.

The Five Major Leaks: Sources of Data

The Offshore Leaks database is built on data from five significant leaks that form the backbone of ICIJ’s investigations. Each leak has contributed vast amounts of information, adding to the overall transparency of global financial systems.

1. Pandora Papers (2021)

The most recent addition to the Offshore Leaks database, the Pandora Papers exposed secret financial dealings of influential individuals, including politicians, celebrities, and business executives. The data primarily comes from two offshore service providers: Alemán, Cordero, Galindo & Lee (Alcogal) and Fidelity Corporate Services. Additional data from Asiaciti Trust and other entities were added in 2022, expanding the reach of the Pandora Papers revelations.

2. Paradise Papers (2017–2018)

The Paradise Papers focused on a leak from the law firm Appleby and several corporate registries. It uncovered the offshore dealings of corporations and wealthy individuals, showing how they used complex structures to reduce tax obligations or shield their financial activities from scrutiny. The Paradise Papers data was added in late 2017 and early 2018.

3. Bahamas Leaks (2016)

This leak revealed data from the Bahamas corporate registry and exposed details of offshore companies registered in the island nation. Released in September 2016, the Bahamas Leaks highlighted the continued use of the country as a tax haven by wealthy individuals and corporations.

4. Panama Papers (2016)

Perhaps the most well-known of the leaks, the Panama Papers exposed the inner workings of Mossack Fonseca, a law firm that facilitated the creation of offshore companies. The investigation, conducted in collaboration with German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitungrevealed a global network of financial secrecy used by politicians, celebrities, and business tycoons. This was one of the largest leaks, with over 11 million documents released.

5. Offshore Leaks (2013)

The original Offshore Leaks investigation was based on data obtained from two offshore service providers: Portcullis Trustnet and Commonwealth Trust Limited. It marked the beginning of ICIJ’s deep dive into the world of offshore finance, showing how corporations and wealthy individuals use tax havens to avoid scrutiny. The data was first made public in June 2013.

Limitations and Privacy Considerations

While the Offshore Leaks database provides critical transparency, it does not reveal all the financial details of the entities involved. The database does not contain raw documents, email exchanges, or detailed financial transactions. Personal information such as bank account numbers is also excluded. Instead, it focuses on exposing the ownership, proxy arrangements, and intermediary connections of offshore entities.

Data Anomalies

It’s important to note that the data in the Offshore Leaks database is not sourced from standardized corporate registries. This can result in duplicates or errors in the information, particularly when entities or individuals appear multiple times within the same leak. For instance, a company might be listed as both a shareholder of another entity and as a separate entity itself, adding complexity to tracing the true owners.

Why Transparency Matters

The ICIJ and its partners publish this data in the public interest, believing that financial transparency is essential for holding individuals and institutions accountable. While not all activities related to offshore entities are illegal, the offshore economy often enables illicit activities such as:

• Money laundering
• Tax evasion
• Fraud
• Corruption

Furthermore, the use of offshore financial structures, even when legal, raises concerns about fairness and democracy. Critics argue that the secrecy of these structures allows wealthy individuals and corporations to benefit from a parallel economy, one that operates outside the purview of regulators and undermines the integrity of global financial systems.

The Value of the Offshore Leaks Database

The ICIJ Offshore Leaks database plays a crucial role in illuminating the hidden corners of the global economy. By exposing the people and entities behind offshore companies and trusts, the database contributes to greater financial transparency and accountability. As more data is added and refined, it continues to serve as a valuable resource for journalists, researchers, and policymakers aiming to understand and address the impact of financial secrecy on global inequality and economic justice.

Although it does not provide access to all confidential details, the Offshore Leaks database helps the public track patterns of abuse and assesses the broader implications of offshore finance on society.

How to Use the ICIJ Offshore Leaks Database

Searching for Specific People or Companies

One of the core functionalities of the database is the ability to search for individuals or companies connected to offshore entities. This is particularly useful for investigative purposes, as it allows users to trace connections to hidden assets or uncover financial relationships that are not immediately obvious.

Step-by-Step Guide to Searching:

1. Search by Name or Keyword:
   Enter the name of a person, company, or a keyword into the search bar. For instance, if you are looking into a company like “Moonlight Estates Limited,” simply type the name and hit “Search.”
   Pro Tip: Variations in how names or company types are abbreviated (eg, “Ltd” vs. “Limited”) may affect your results, so consider entering only partial names to ensure a broader search.
2. Use Flexible Search Strategies:
   If you are unsure of the exact spelling of a name or if you suspect there might be variations, try using wildcard characters. For example, typing “Allaw*” can help you find different versions of the name like “Allawi” or “Allawadi.”
3. Interpreting Search Results:
   Once the search is complete, the database will display a list of results relevant to your query. Use the available filters—such as jurisdiction or country—to narrow down your results.
   Clicking on a company or individual’s name will take you to a detailed page where you can explore connections like shareholders, beneficiaries, and associated addresses.
4. Visualize Connections:
   Each entity or person page features a visualization tool that shows connections between entities. This helps you understand how different people and companies are linked, often revealing hidden relationships.

Searching by Country

The Offshore Leaks Database allows users to filter connections by country, helping to trace offshore companies and individuals linked to a specific location.

Step-by-Step Guide to Country-Based Search:

1. Select a Country:
   Open the “Linked Countries” filter in the search menu and choose the country you want to investigate. For example, selecting France will bring up all the offshore entities or individuals associated with French addresses or operations.
2. Browse Results by Category:
   The results are categorized into sections: offshore entities, officers (directors or shareholders), intermediaries (service providers who assist in setting up offshore entities), and addresses. Clicking on these categories will allow you to see more detailed information.
3. Filter by Jurisdiction:
   If you want to refine your results further, you can filter the results by jurisdiction. For instance, you might search for French entities that are registered in the Bahamas.

Browsing by Jurisdiction

You can also explore companies based on their offshore registration jurisdictions. This is useful if you are investigating entities operating in well-known secrecy jurisdictions, such as the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islandsor Panama.

Step-by-Step Guide to Jurisdiction-Based Search:

1. Select a Jurisdiction:
   Navigate to the “Search by Jurisdiction” tab and select the jurisdiction you’re interested in from the drop-down menu.
2. View Offshore Entities:
   The system will show a list of all companies registered in that jurisdiction. Clicking on any of these companies will provide more information on the people and entities connected to it.