Crime and Secrecy: The Use of
Offshore Banks and Companies

Lo Introduction

A. The importance of understanding the use of offshore facilities:

L

Use of offshores has traditionally been the exclusive domain of organized crime, narcotics traffickers and major international swindlers such as Vesco.

b. Use was rare enough that enforcement data was sparse and

remained unshared.

3.

Enforcement problems posed by offshores now impact on all levels of law enforcement

Problems are therefore pervasive, enforcement resources are slim, and solutions are elusive.

6.

These problems are compounded by the tremendous resources required to investigate such cases and the continuing problem of no central clearing house for offshore issues.

7.

Education and information sharing are important weapons in combatting offshore use.