The Panama Papers

RT wrote:Germany’s Süddeutsche Zeitung (SZ) has released the biggest leak in journalistic history, posting 11.5 million documents from a Panamanian law firm online and providing “rare insights into a world that can only exist in the shadows.”
SZ said it received the law firm’s documents a year ago from an anonymous source who “wanted neither financial compensation nor anything else in return.”

The German paper obtained further documents in an investigation that followed, involving “400 journalists from more than 100 media organizations in over 80 countries.”

SZ said it decided to analyze the data in cooperation with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ).

The data in the so-called Panama Papers, “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,” the German newspaper wrote.

The information in the leak covers the activities of the Mossack Fonseca firm over a period from the 1970s to spring 2016.

“The Panama Papers include approximately 11.5 million documents – more than the combined total of the Wikileaks Cablegate, Offshore Leaks, Lux Leaks, and Swiss Leaks,” SZ said.

The data is presented in the form of e-mails, pdf files, photo files, and excerpts from the Panaman firm’s database.

The leak claims to expose the offshore holdings of 12 current and former world leaders and provides data on the financial activities of 128 other politicians and public officials from different countries.

Mossak Fonseca wrote:

Client Announcement Important Information
April 1, 2016

Dear Clients:

This is to inform you that we are in the process of an in-depth investigation with experts who have now confirmed that unfortunately we have been subject to an unauthorized breach of our email server. If you have not heard from us until now, that means that we have reason to believe that your information was not compromised. We sincerely regret this event and have taken all necessary measures to prevent this from happening again.

At the moment, we are working with the help of outside consultants to determine the extent to which our system was accessed by unauthorized persons, what specific information those persons have obtained and the number of parties affected.
Below is additional information on this event and the actions we are taking. Rest assured that we accord the highest priority to the safety and confidentiality of your information. We employ multiple layers of electronic security and limit access to files to selected individuals within our firm in order to prevent breaches. As a result of this event, we have taken additional measures to further strengthen our systems.

Please feel free to contact us should you have any additional questions or concerns at clients@mossfon.com.
We regret again any inconvenience that this event may have caused you. We thank you for your continued trust.

Sincere regards,
Carlos Sousa-Lennox Marketing & Sales Director

What We Know Has Happened

There was unauthorized access to our email server through which certain information was gleaned by outside parties. The identity of certain individuals and information on aspects of their affairs may have been exposed as a result of this unauthorized access. We do not yet know the identity or the motivation of the persons who have committed this act

What We Will Do Next

We are continuing our investigation with the help of an outside consultant to determine the full extent of the unauthorized access. We are working to trace all activities of the perpetrators and determine what information they obtained.

What You Can Expect From Us

You can expect us to inform you as soon as we have additional relevant information to share. We have filed legal complaints with regard to the theft of information from our system.

Additional Concerns

The information that has been accessed from our files has fallen into the hands of reporters from certain media outlets who have been taking information out of context and making false assumptions about the nature of our services. They have already contacted us in an effort to confirm their allegations and ask further questions. We have responded in a general manner and have not provided details that would further expose confidential information. We believe they are also attempting to contact individuals whose information is contained in the materials illegally taken from the content of emails that have been exposed.

Story leaked yesterday, there wasn't even a breaking news notification on American media outlets until a few hours ago.

VivaStPauli wrote:Was also really wondering why there isn't any German dignitaries on the list, though that might be the reason the leak was presented to the SZ.

Having vast riches offshore just seems like something our conservatives would do, like faking a doctorate, or stealing from the poor.

More than 1,000 Germans are named in the leaked Panama Papers - and they used all the major German banks says the editor in chief of the Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper. Wolfgang Krach says the banks involved included Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, HypoVereinsbank and Bayerische Landesbank.
The Munich-based paper says it was offered the leaked data from a Panama legal firm more than a year ago through an encrypted channel by an anonymous source.
Mr Krach told the Associated Press that the paper and its partners verified the authenticity of the data by comparing it to public registers, witness testimony and court rulings.
More information in German on Süddeutsche Zeiting