scholarly journals Public Interest Disclosure in Labuan Offshore Banking: Is Statutory Intervention Necessary?

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (12) ◽  
pp. 247-257
Author(s):  
Nur Hazirah Zainudin ◽  
Norhashimah Mohd Yasin

Such inquiry like the recent Pandora Papers requires further legislative measure in offshore banking. While banking secrecy is legitimate privacy and viable, it has different character to tax evasion and money laundering activities. This article attempts to analyse public interest disclosure, onshore and offshore banking secrecy law from the perspective of statutory and judicial approaches. Statutory and judicial approaches show that banking secrecy is regarded as strict liability offense in onshore banking. The question arises whether public interest disclosure should be allowed as statutory intervention in Labuan offshore in response to a case like Pandora Papers? This research employs doctrinal analysis to unearth and address a necessary legislative measure for further development in descriptive and prescriptive manner. From the findings, it is evident that statutory intervention is deemed required to assist public interest disclosure for further inquiry and the general rule banking secrecy stated in Section 178 of the Labuan Financial and Securities Services Act 2010 (ACT 704) and Section 139 of the Labuan Islamic Financial and Securities Services Act 2010 (ACT 704). In this case, extensive provisions should be addressed in Section 178 of the Labuan Financial and Securities Services Act 2010 and Section 139 of the Labuan Islamic Financial and Securities Services Act 2010 regarding public interest disclosure within Malaysian offshore context that is fundamentally distinctive from the onshore banking. The forthcoming legislative measure is necessary to prevent such further sail in offshore banking.

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Deen Kemsley ◽  
Sean A. Kemsley ◽  
Frank T. Morgan

Purpose This paper aims to define the fundamental nexus between income tax evasion and money laundering. The G7 Financial Action Task Force (FATF) designates tax evasion as a predicate offense for money laundering. We determine whether this designation is complete from a conceptual standpoint, or whether there is a stronger connection between tax evasion and money laundering. Design/methodology/approach This paper applies the FATF definition for money laundering – as well as generally accepted definitions for tax evasion and for a standard predicate offense – to identify the necessary conditions for each crime. This paper then uses these conditions to test opposing hypotheses regarding the nexus between tax evasion and money laundering. Findings This paper demonstrates that tax evasion does not meet the conditions for a standard predicate offense, and treating it as if it were a standard predicate could be problematic in practice. Instead, it is concluded that the FATF’s predicate label for tax evasion, together with tax evasion methods and objectives, imply that all tax evasion constitutes money laundering. In a single process, tax evasion generates both criminal tax savings and launders those criminal proceeds by concealing or disguising their unlawful origin. Practical implications The FATF could strengthen its framework by explicitly defining all tax evasion as money laundering. This would enable regulatory agencies to draw upon the full combined resources dedicated to either offense. Originality/value The analysis demonstrates that tax evasion completely incorporates money laundering as currently defined by the FATF.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Roman ◽  
Ana Machuca ◽  
Thomas Schaefer

Purpose This study aims to apply the modified Walker-Unger model to show the degree of attractiveness of a country for Mexican-based money launderers to send their illicit funds for the 2000–2015 time period. Design/methodology/approach The modified Walker-Unger model is used to conduct the analysis, as it combines several independent variables related to an illicit financial activity. These allow the researcher to investigate the attractiveness of a market to money launderers and the possible economic effects of money laundering. In total, 13 categories of indicators were used, namely, gross national product per capita; banking secrecy; government attitude; society for worldwide interbank financial telecommunication membership; financial deposits; conflict; corruption; Egmont group membership; language; trade; culture, colonial background; and physical distance. Findings Model results suggest the preferred destinations for Mexican-based money launderers from 2000 to 2015 were Bermuda (i.e. from 2000–2004), Canada (i.e. in 2005 and 2006) and Monaco (i.e. from 2007–2015). Research limitations/implications Timing and availability of reliable data after 2015. Practical implications Aids in continuing to empirically validate the Walker-Unger model. There is little literature on models that quantify money laundering activity. Social implications May aid policymakers in targeting anti-money laundering policy to more relevant countries. Originality/value The first empirical investigation that looks to quantify money launderer activity in Mexico. Contributes to the limited literature of quantitative investigations on money laundering.


2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 962-968 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederic Compin

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse how terrorism financing can be assimilated with money launderning when the amounts ofmoney involved differ so markedly. Not only is the cost of financing terrorist attacks minimal compared to the huge sums often at stake in financial crimes, but also the psychological profile of terrorists, who are reclusive by nature, contrasts starkly with that of financial criminals, who are usually fully integrated members of society. When terrorism financing is equated with money laundering this represents a utilitarian approach in that it facilitates the creation of a security strategy and stifles criticism of criminogenic capitalismthat turns a blind eye to tax evasion. Design/methodology/approach The analysis is conceptual, focussing on the assimilation of terrorism financing with money laundering. There is an interview with a French magistrate, specialized in the fight against corruption and white-collar crime, and data have been collected from international organizations and scholarly articles. Findings The fight against money laundering and money dirtying has clearly sparked numerous controversies around evaluation, scope, criminal perpetrators and a lack of vital cooperation between administrative and judicial services. Social implications This paper raises questions about the reasons behind the linking of money laundering and money dirtying by states and players in public international law and why the fight against money laundering is very much overshadowed by their focus on terrorist financing in dealing with the growing threat of Islamic State, otherwise known as ISIS or ISIL, in the Middle East and West Africa. Originality/value The paper enables the reader to raise the question of similarities between the fight against money laundering and the fight against terrorism financing.


2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nella Hendriyetty ◽  
Bhajan S. Grewal

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to review studies focusing on the magnitude of money laundering and their effects on a country’s economy. The relevant concepts are identified on the basis of discussions in the literature by prominent scholars and policy makers. There are three main objectives in this review: first, to discuss the effects of money laundering on a country’s macro-economy; second, to seek measurements from other scholars; and finally, to seek previous findings about the magnitude and the flows of money laundering. Design/methodology/approach In the first part, this paper outlines the effects of money laundering on macroeconomic conditions of a country, and then the second part reviews the literature that measures the magnitude of money laundering from an economic perspective. Findings Money laundering affects a country’s economy by increasing shadow economy and criminal activities, illicit flows and impeding tax collection. To minimise these negative effects, it is necessary to quantify the magnitude of money laundering relative to economic conditions to identify the most vulnerable aspects of money laundering in a country. Two approaches are used in this study: the first is the capital flight approach, as money laundering will cause flows of money between countries; the second is the economic approach for measuring money laundering through economic variables (e.g. tax revenue, underground economy and income generated by criminals) separately from tax evasion. Originality/value The paper offers new insights for the measurement of money laundering, especially for developing countries. Most methods in quantifying money laundering have focused on developed countries, which are less applicable to developing countries.


Author(s):  
R. Harika ◽  
V. N. V. Sai Ramresh

Tax evasion is the focal turn of numerous genuine offenses. Hacking frameworks or laundering cash has become an extraordinary calling of individuals where they exploit distinctive monetary and general sets of laws of various nations. AML is needed to make the country less appealing for the launderers, in this manner shielding the monetary area from functional and reputational hazards. To have a thorough paper, the paper is partitioned into four sections. Part I opens up with clarifying the ideas and cycles of tax evasion calling attention to the causes and methods of illegal tax avoidance. Part II moves with rules and guidelines/control instruments to manage the issue of illegal tax avoidance. Considering the previously mentioned conversation Part III continues in expounding the ideas to have a decent enemy of tax evasion system. The paper is the principal endeavor to move toward AML Bill 2008 to combat money laundering.


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e26265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuichi Kano ◽  
Jun Nakajima ◽  
Takeshi Yamasaki ◽  
Jyun-ichi Kitamura ◽  
Ryoichi Tabata

Loach is one of the major cypriniform fishes in freshwater habitats of Japan; 35 taxa/clades have, until now, been recognised. Parallel to genetic studies, morphological examinations are needed for further development of loach study, eventually ichthyology and fish biology. Digital archiving, concerning taxonomy, ecology, ethology etc., is one of the progressive challenges for the open science of biology. This paper aimed to online publish photo images, 3D models and CT scanned data of all the known clades of loaches inhabiting Japan (103 individuals in total with several type specimens), contributing to ichthyology and public interest of biodiversity/biology.Photo images, 3D models and CT scanned data of all the known 35 taxa/clades of loaches inhabiting in Japan were online published at http://ffish.asia/loachesOfJapan and http://ffish.asia/loachesOfJapan3D.


2019 ◽  
pp. 525-534
Author(s):  
Tomáš Sejkora

This contribution is devoted to an issue of the correlation between anti-money laundering measures and measures combating tax evasion. This problem is widely discussed and the regulation requiring sharing tax relevant information between tax and AML authorities begins to occur. The example is the well-known directive DAC 5 and its transposition into the national legal orders which initiated the discussion about the nature of the confidentiality of the lawyer and the attorney–client privilege once again. This contribution therefore analyses the new obligation imposed on attorneys by the law implementing DAC 5 in the Czech Republic. The used scientific methods are description, analysis, induction and deduction.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Asmah ◽  
Williams Abayaawien Atuilik

Purpose Alternate remittance systems (ARS) are inherently not illegal; however, the nature of their activities has mostly been linked with money laundering and terrorist financing, which raises several questions as to why businesses in Ghana rely on these systems to conduct their cross-border trade. The purpose of this study is seeks to understand the nature of ARS in Ghana and analyse why business owners rely on them for their transactions. Design/methodology/approach Three companies were selected for the case study analysis. This research paper used a qualitative data analysis for the study. Interviews, direct participant observation and documentary review were the main techniques for data collection. The multiple sources of evidence helped to reduce the potential bias of the single method. Findings This paper found that some businesses using the system in Ghana can acquire unsecured loans at little or no interest cost, which provides a good source of funding to support business growth. Unlike other studies, this study proves that in some instances, ARS operators transact business with the clients they do not, particularly trust. Within the context of this study, this paper found evidence that supports money laundering, but the underlining crime is mostly tax evasion. The adoption of the system is an attempt to disguise the proceeds of the tax evasion crime and clean them through business operations. Research limitations/implications This analysis was based on the strain theory from the perspective of the clients. Future studies can focus attention on the ARS operators and understand their perspectives. Several other fraud theories could be used as a lens to understand the phenomena in Ghana and other jurisdictions. Practical implications The study throws more light on a “secret” or an underground banking system that operates in Ghana. It provides insights that can guide regulatory authorities in their policy implementation. The need for stricter enforcement of the law has also been highlighted. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is original, as it focuses on a sector that is highly secretive but has significant implications on the Ghanaian economy.


2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 187
Author(s):  
Notari Bonini Notari ◽  
Rogério Gesta Leal

O presente artigo tem por objetivo analisar o fenômeno da corrupção e o crime de lavagem de dinheiro e a forma como vem sendo abordada essa temática no âmbito da Convenção sobre o Combate da Corrupção de Funcionários Públicos Estrangeiros em Transações Comerciais Internacionais da Organização para a Cooperação e Desenvolvimento Econômico (OCDE) e à formulação de políticas públicas para o Combate a Corrupção e a Lavagem de Dinheiro, por parte do Estado Brasileiro. A Lavagem de Dinheiro é uma das espécies de práticas corruptivas, de tal modo que esse tipo de ilícito compromete a efetivação dos direitos fundamentais, dos direitos sociais, do direito penal econômico, o Estado Democrático de Direito afetando, de forma direta, as políticas públicas tributárias em razão do cometimento de ilegalidades e delitos ligados às questões de ordem econômica, tais como, o suborno, fraudes, sonegação fiscal, propina, lavagem de dinheiro, tráfico de drogas, armas, ligados de maneira indireta, ao crime organizado. Considerando que o artigo é de natureza bibliográfica, será utilizado quanto ao método de abordagem a ser adotado no seu desenvolvimento o dedutivo, tendo pressuposto argumentos gerais (premissa maior) para argumentos particulares (premissa menor); enquanto o procedimento será analítico. Palavras chaves: Políticas Públicas Tributárias, Lavagem de Dinheiro, Corrupção de Funcionários Públicos Estrangeiros, ordem econômica, ilegalidades. MONEY LAUNDERING CRIME UNDER THE CONVENTION ON THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION OF FOREIGN public employee in the business operations of the International Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) This article aims to analyze the phenomenon of corruption and money laundering and how it is addressing this issue under the Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Economic Development (OECD) and the formulation of public policies for the Fight against Corruption and Money Laundering, by the Brazilian government. Money laundering is a kind of corrupt practices, so this type of crime committed with the observance of fundamental rights, social rights, economic criminal law, the democratic rule of law affecting directly the tax public policy because the commission of unlawful acts and crimes related to financial issues such as bribery, fraud, tax evasion, bribery, money laundering, drug trafficking, arms linked indirectly to the crime organizado.Considerando that the article is a bibliographic character , will be used as a method of approach is adopted in its deductive development, with arguments general assumption (major premise) for particular arguments (minor premise); while the procedure is analytic.


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