The latest leak
The Pandora Papers leak is the latest – and biggest – to shine a light on tax evasion of the rich and powerful from the whistleblowing International Consortium of Investigative Journalists.
Offshore Leaks – In April 2013, the ICIJ reveals a “who’s who” of people and entities hiding assets offshore in 122,000 companies run from Singapore and the British Virgin Islands.
China Leaks – In January 2014, documents show that China’s elite is also parking money in offshore tax havens. Among those cited are several people close to Xi Jinping.
Luxleaks – Later that year, the ICIJ reveals secret agreements between Luxembourg and 340 multinational companies including Amazon, Apple, IKEA, Pepsi, AIG and Verizon to avoid paying taxes.
Swissleaks – In February 2015, the ICIJ uncovers a scheme that allegedly helped wealthy clients of banking giant HSBC’S Swiss division to evade taxes.
Panama Papers – The leak of 11.5 million documents from the Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca in April 2016 causes political earthquakes across the world and names stars, billionaires and banks involved in tax evasion and money-laundering. Iceland’s PM Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson resigns and the fallout also claims Pakistan’s prime minister Nawaz Sharif. The ICIJ says at least 150 probes were launched in more than 70 countries because of the revelations, which also inspire a Hollywood film.
Paradise Papers – Another huge leak in November 2017 exposes the offshore interests of 120 politicians around the world, as well as the Queen Elizabeth II. It also reveals the financial links between thenus president Donald Trump’s commerce secretary Wilbur L. Ross and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s son-in-law.
Mauritius Leaks – Based on a 2019 leak of 200,000 files, reporters claim to expose a “sophisticated system that diverts tax revenue from poor nations back to the coffers of Western corporations and African oligarchs” through the Indian Ocean island.
Luanda Leaks – The business empire of “Africa’s wealthiest woman,” Isabel dos Santos, daughter of former Angolan president José Eduardo dos Santos, has been largely dismantled since a 2020 ICIJ investigation into the shady origins of her fortune. Angola claims more than a billion dollars of state assets were plundered from the nation.