Global Shell Games

Global Shell Games documents an unprecedented field experiment testing corporate service providers' compliance with international financial transparency laws. The researchers posed as would-be customers seeking to create anonymous shell companies across nearly 200 countries. The book presents the methodology and execution of sending over 7,000 email solicitations to corporate service providers worldwide. Through their investigation, the authors evaluate which providers follow international standards requiring them to collect identity documentation from customers. The authors recount their interactions with global incorporation services, from major financial centers to small island tax havens. Their findings reveal significant patterns in how different jurisdictions and types of providers respond to inquiries about establishing anonymous shell companies. The work exposes fundamental gaps between financial regulations on paper versus their real-world implementation. This research has implications for understanding international financial crime, money laundering, and the effectiveness of current transparency laws.

Readers found the research methodology and real-world experiment compelling, though some noted the academic writing style made it less accessible. Multiple reviews highlight the detailed exposure of shell company formation practices and international regulatory failures. What readers liked: - Clear presentation of data and findings - Step-by-step explanation of the research process - Practical implications for policy reform - Mix of academic rigor with real investigative work What readers disliked: - Dense academic prose - Repetitive in some sections - Limited discussion of solutions - High price point for a short book Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (13 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (6 ratings) Google Books: 4/5 (3 ratings) Sample review quote: "Eye-opening research that demonstrates how easy it is to create anonymous shell companies. The methodology is impressive but the writing could be more engaging for non-academic readers." - Goodreads reviewer

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🌐 The authors conducted a real-world experiment by posing as consultants and sending over 7,400 email solicitations to corporate service providers in 180 countries to test how easy it was to set up anonymous shell companies. 💼 Despite international regulations requiring verification of customer identity, nearly half of the corporate service providers contacted were willing to form companies without proper documentation. 🏆 The book won the 2015 Yale H. Weston Award for Excellence in International Law Scholarship from the American Society of International Law. 💰 The research revealed that providers in tax havens were significantly more likely to comply with international transparency standards than those in major developed nations like the United States and United Kingdom. 🔍 The authors' methodology has since influenced how international organizations like the World Bank and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime conduct research on financial crime and shell companies.