CH...CH...CHanges
We look at how the recent implementation of identity verification either direct or through an Authorised Company Service Provider (ACSP) at Companies House, might have changed the landscape of incorporations (HINT: it ha…
SUBJECT COLLECTION
Companies & ownership
The entities, owners and enablers behind the money.
The questions behind the subject
A company name is a starting point. These conversations explore what sits behind it: directors, shareholders, beneficial owners, partnerships and the difference between ownership and control.
- Who owns the entity, and who can actually control it?
- What can public records reveal about a corporate structure?
- Where does a plausible explanation need further investigation?
SUGGESTED LISTENING SEQUENCE
Read the dates alongside the discussions: rules and investigations develop over time.
All episodes in this collection
Partners in crime
In a slightly longer than normal episode we do a deep dive into partnerships of various flavours and how the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act is going to change things. Partnerships are not straightforward (…
The verification game
We look at the role of Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSPs) in the new regime at Companies House and explain why understanding both its strengths and weaknesses is important to anyone responsible for onboarding…
Is Companies House an economic bellwether?
One for the geeks! Changes in company formation levels are often use to justify/criticise different governments' economic policies. We go behind the headline figures to see if this is justified or not (HINT: not!).
Policing the corporate landscape - the role of The Insolvency Service
The UK Insolvency Service does a lot more than just oversee insolvencies and, in a recently published five year strategy document, they outlined some ambitious future goals which we thought were well worth a conversation…
Transparency and trust issues: the secret life of property
In this episode, we chat about a recently published report by Transparency International (see: https://www.transparency.org.uk/news/trust-issues-tackling-final-frontier-secret-property-ownership) and how it impacts on ou…
Trigger warning!
We bring you our latest deep dive into the world of crazy company incorporations and weird worldwide coincidences by way of North London, New Zealand and a much loved British sit-com.
Are corporate entities the Swiss army knife of financial crime?
In this episode we explore some of the many different ways in which corporate entities can be used to engage in financial crime – although, as far as we are aware, they aren’t much use in removing stones from horse’s hoo…
Organised Crime - two's company but three's an OCG
We dive into the details of OCGs and how they use corporate networks to launder their ill-gotten gains - and the clues they leave behind. And, rather appropriately, we also introduce the world to our new sponsor: https:/…
ECCTA Part 2 - SLAPPS, Fraud, Crypto and information sharing
In this second part of our review of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, we look at the provisions relating to failing to prevent fraud, crypto assets, information sharing and Strategic Lawsuits Against Pu…
Companies House - it's time to Act
Following the enactment of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, reform is on the way to Companies House. But what does it look like and when will it happen? Here's our initial overview.
Ownership, control, or influence? UBOs and further complications
In this second episode devoted to ultimate beneficial ownership, we delve into the world of exchange traded companies and the esoterica that is trusts.
Ownership, control, or influence? It’s time for the UBO question!
In this episode we, somewhat belatedly, begin to tackle the thorny issue of identifying ultimate beneficial ownership. And we do so by pointing out that the “ownership” part of UBO is a bit misleading because it doesn’t …
VATs the problem?
In the first episode of season 10, we turn our attention to an extraordinary story about online retail sales, China, VAT and HMRC. Despite all the apparent jargon, it is just an everyday tale of 11,000 companies all sudd…
Can we have the Bill please?
In something of a departure from our normal content, we review the passage of the Economic Crime and Corporate Reform Bill through the UK parliamentary system and use the opportunity to explain in more detail just how th…
Your company is not welcome here!
We interrupt our suite of podcasts on fraud to bring you a special episode relating to the human cost of fake company incorporations. Working with various different media outlets, we’ve helped bring to light some of the …
Tax: Avoidance, evasion, and small umbrellas
In this episode we tackle the thorny issue of tax avoidance, aggressive tax avoidance and tax evasion. We also take a closer look at one of the schemes which falls somewhere on that spectrum: mini-umbrella companies.
NatWest Bank and the Bradford Laundromat - part 2
In this episode we bring you the second part of our deep dive into the criminal prosecution of NatWest through the lens of the Statement of Facts which accompanied the guilty verdict. This time, amongst other things, we …
NatWest Bank and the Bradford Laundromat - part 1
In this episode we bring you part one of a deep dive into the criminal prosecution of NatWest through the lens of the Statement of Facts which accompanied the guilty verdict. No matter where you are in the world, given t…
Companies House Advanced Search
In this episode we enthusiastically review the new advanced search function recently launched on the Companies House website. We also make a heartfelt plea for other corporate registers to look and learn from the huge po…
Alternative Laundries 3 - Art, auctions, sanctions and shells
Occasionally, we record an episode which is truly an exclusive, and this is one of them. This episode started life as a straightforward explanation of the use of art and auctions in money laundering schemes. And then it …
Formed in the USA - Beneficial Ownership and the Corporate Transparency Act
In this episode, we look at the newly enacted Corporate Transparency Act, specifically in relation to the new beneficial ownership requirements in the US, how they will work, who is affected and areas for improvement.
British Shells and the Beirut Blast
The massive explosion in Beirut. Sanctioned individuals. Dangerous chemicals. UK shell companies. ISIS. Russia. Syria. What connects them all? We do. There is an accompanying article on The Dark Money Files LinkedIn page…
Companies House: It's time to reform (maybe, if we can find the time and money)
In this episode we look at (and broadly welcome) the proposed reforms to Companies House - an issue which matters globally given the ubiquity of UK entities in global money laundering schemes. Our reservations - budget a…
HMRC, TCSPs and other impossible scrabble hands
In this episode we review the recent guidance issued by the UKs tax regulator (HMRC) for the benefit of Trust and Corporate Services providers. Amongst other things, it provides a very clear and articulate statement of s…
Significant Control - who is and who isn't a PSC
In this episode we review the recent report by David Leask and Richard Smith published on the OpenDemocracy website revealing the current state of play with respect to the UK Person with Significant Control regime. We us…
Assessing Customer Risk #2 - Channel, Entity, Industry and Products
In this second part of assessing customer risk, we look at the impact of delivery channel, products, entity type and industry on the overall risk rating. We talk about the changes that new technology have had on verifica…
Laundromats and Legal Entities - part three: Scottish Limited Partnerships
The one you've all been waiting for! A detailed explanation of SLPs, their history, construction and how they are used to launder money - plus a further explanation of a Scottish Limited Partnership complex structure to …
The good, the bad and the companies - The Global Witness Report
In this special episode we review and comment on the recent Global Witness update to its reports from last year on the effectiveness of the Companies House PSC regime. For more see:Global Witness blog and link Oh, and we…
Laundromats and Legal Entities - part two: Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs)
In an extended episode, we delve into the intricacies of UK LLPs and, using real examples, explain how the rules allow them to be constructed in a such a way as to hide ultimate ownership behind a series of entirely plau…
Laundromats and Legal Entities - part one: Limited Companies
We begin our analysis of how legal entities, in locations which have transparent corporate registers can still be used to mask ultimate ownership and control while still providing a veneer of respectability. In this firs…
Ali Moulaye: The man, the myth and the method
In this first episode of season 2 we discuss Ali Moulaye, the man whose signature is at the base of Companies House account filings for a multiplicity of LLPs identified as being involved in a wide variety of laundromats…
Read & explore
The Banker
Companies House clean-up hits fraudsters hard
Graham’s commentary on Companies House and the changing corporate landscape.
Publisher subscription requiredLinkedIn
British shells and the Beirut Blast (updated)
Tracing connections through British companies and public corporate records.
Updated version at sourceHouse of Commons
Economic crime: evidence to Parliament
Ray gives evidence on economic crime, Companies House and the need for effective prevention.
Official transcriptLinkedIn
Identifying patterns in Companies House data
Finding meaningful patterns among newly formed companies.
Suggested subject matches; editorial review in progress.
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