Recently I was forwarded an article about a massive data leak from a panama law firm known as Mossack Fonesca, which sells anonymous companies around the world. At 2.6 Terrabytes, it is the largest data leak in history.
_http://panamapapers.sueddeutsche.de/articles/56febff0a1bb8d3c3495adf4/
From the article:
Here's the BBC's coverage. Predictably it has been spun already: insinuating corruption in associates of Putin in Russia, as well as the Icelandic PM. No word on the presence of Erdogan or the Clinton foundation in these shell companies, but like I said there is a LOT of data to dredge through.
_http://www.bbc.com/news/world-35918844?SThisFB
_http://panamapapers.sueddeutsche.de/articles/56febff0a1bb8d3c3495adf4/
From the article:
Over a year ago, an anonymous source contacted the Süddeutsche Zeitung (SZ) and submitted encrypted internal documents from Mossack Fonseca, a Panamanian law firm that sells anonymous offshore companies around the world. These shell firms enable their owners to cover up their business dealings, no matter how shady.
In the months that followed, the number of documents continued to grow far beyond the original leak. Ultimately, SZ acquired about 2.6 terabytes of data, making the leak the biggest that journalists had ever worked with. The source wanted neither financial compensation nor anything else in return, apart from a few security measures.
The data provides rare insights into a world that can only exist in the shadows. It proves how a global industry led by major banks, legal firms, and asset management companies secretly manages the estates of the world’s rich and famous: from politicians, Fifa officials, fraudsters and drug smugglers, to celebrities and professional athletes.
Here's the BBC's coverage. Predictably it has been spun already: insinuating corruption in associates of Putin in Russia, as well as the Icelandic PM. No word on the presence of Erdogan or the Clinton foundation in these shell companies, but like I said there is a LOT of data to dredge through.
_http://www.bbc.com/news/world-35918844?SThisFB
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 the Icelandic Prime Minister, Sigmundur Gunnlaugson, who had an undeclared interest linked to his wife's wealth and is now facing calls for his resignation.
The files also reveal a suspected billion-dollar money laundering ring involving close associates of President Putin.
Gerard Ryle, director of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), said the documents covered the day-to-day business at Mossack Fonseca over the past 40 years.
"I think the leak will prove to be probably the biggest blow the offshore world has ever taken because of the extent of the documents," he said.
Panama Papers - tax havens of the rich and powerful exposed
- Eleven million documents held by the Panama-based law firm Mossack Fonseca have been passed to German newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung, which then shared them with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists. BBC Panorama is among 107 media organisations - including UK newspaper the Guardian - in 78 countries which have been analysing the documents. The BBC doesn't know the identity of the source
- They show how the company has helped clients launder money, dodge sanctions and evade tax
- Mossack Fonseca says it has operated beyond reproach for 40 years and never been accused or charged with criminal wrong-doing
- Tricks of the trade: How assets are hidden and taxes evaded
- Panama Papers: Full coverage; follow reaction on Twitter using #PanamaPapers; in the BBC News app, follow the tag "Panama Papers"[/l][/l]
This could be an incremental and legitemate blow against the elite, or it may just be another psy-op for information warfare against the usual targets of the west. I still remember Assange's wikileaks fanfare, which for all intents and purposes just hurt the feelings of some American allies and resulted in one tortured Chelsea Manning.