Ownership Transparency

The U.S. is the easiest place in the world for a criminal, terrorist, tax cheat, or kleptocrat to open an anonymous shell company to launder their money with impunity. Anonymous corporations are great ways to hide money and other assets — they can hold a bank account or buy a yacht. Criminals often layer anonymous corporations, with one owning another and so on, making it even harder for law enforcement to “trace the money” and figure out who is directing the company’s activity. It’s time to ending the use of anonymous shell companies as vehicles for illicit activity by requiring that the true owners of U.S. companies be disclosed at the time of formation and updated upon any change.

FACT Sheet: Anonymous Companies Fuel Illicit Commerce

Anonymous companies allow counterfeiters and internet pirates to traffic and smuggle illicit goods — undercutting legitimate commerce, markets, and financial systems. Further, illicit trade threatens critical national industries and local economies, placing consumers at risk and harming the market reputational value of American brands and companies.

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