ICIJ to release Panama Papers data on over 200,000 offshore companies May 9

The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) has said on May 9 it will release a “searchable database” containing information on more than 200,000 offshore entities that are part of the Panama Papers investigation.

“The database will likely be the largest ever release of secret offshore companies and the people behind them,” ICIJ said in a statement posted on its website.

It said these data were obtained from the Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca, one of the top players in the offshore world, and include information about companies, trusts, foundations and funds incorporated in 21 tax havens, from Hong Kong to Nevada in the United States.

 “It links to people in more than 200 countries and territories,” it added.

The release would enable readers to search through the data and visualise the networks around thousands of offshore entities, including Mossack Fonseca’s internal records of the company’s true owners, the ICIJ said. 

“The interactive database will also include information about more than 100,000 additional companies that were part of the 2013 ICIJ Offshore Leaks investigation,” it added.

The ICIJ, however, said it would not release personal data en masse and the database would also not include records of bank accounts and financial transactions, emails and other correspondence, passports and telephone numbers.

Leaks from Mossack Fonseca have exposed the secret offshore dealings of several world leaders, politicians and celebrities.

It has also led to two high-profile resignations of Icelandic Prime Minister Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson and Spanish Acting Industry Minister Jose Manuel Soria.

The database will be published at https://offshoreleaks.icij.org.