The Cost of Secrecy: The role played by companies registered in the UK's overseas territories in money laundering and corruption

For decades, the Overseas Territories have represented a weakness in the UK’s approach to tackling the flow of corrupt wealth around the world. The corporate secrecy afforded by these jurisdictions has made them destinations of choice for corrupt individuals seeking to hide criminal acts and enjoy the proceeds of their crimes with impunity.

Using evidence from 237 corruption cases from the last 30 years, this briefing shows how 1,201 different companies registered in the UK’s Overseas Territories have aided gross abuses of entrusted power for private gain around the world.