PANAMA THREATENS TO SEND “PANAMANIAN ATTACK MONKEYS” TO EU TO REMOVE THE BLACK LIST STANDING | BRIBES ARE MORE SUITED FOR PANAMA |

FROM THE - CHRONICLES of Monte Friesner – Criminal & Intelligence Analyst and Consulaire for WANTED SA~
~Contributed & Written by Kenneth Rijock ~

PANAMA THREATENS TO USE ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LAWS TO RETALIATE AGAINST EU TAX HAVEN DESIGNATION

Panama has gone off the deep end, in its attempt to evade international accountability for the rampant money laundering which pervades its banking system.  

In what appears to be a desperate move to compel the EU to remove the tax haven designation it has placed upon the Republic of Panama, The country's Deputy Foreign Minister has threatened to retaliate against the individual countries that are members of the  European Union.

The deputy, Luis Miguel Hincapié, has arrogantly, and incorrectly, invoked Public Law no. 58, of December 12, 2002*(, which establishes retaliation in  cases of foreign discriminatory restrictions. Panama is, in essence, asserting that the EU is discriminating against it by declaring the country a non-cooperative tax haven. 

This is an arbitrary, and improper, application of the law, purely for political purposes, and Panama will lose what little credibility its government still has, should it actually levy a monetary penalty, which the law calls, for, upon countries of the EU.

Does the term "Banana Republic " come to mind here, or an I the only one who sees this action as a joke ?

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*http://200.46.254.138/legispan/pdf_normas/2000/2002/2002_525_1714.pdf

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VIKTOR BOUT'S COUNSEL IS SEEKING A NEW TRIAL BASED IN NEWLY DISCOVERED EVIDENCE

FROM THE - CHRONICLES of Monte Friesner – Criminal & Intelligence Analyst and Consulaire for WANTED SA~

~Contributed & Written by Kenneth Rijock ~

VIKTOR BOUT'S NEW COUNSEL MOVES FOR A NEW TRIAL, UPON GROUNDS OF NEWLY DISCOVERED EVIDENCE

The team of attorneys engaged to seek a new trial in the case against arms trafficker Viktor Bout, has filed their much-anticipated motion & memorandum in US District Court in New York. Signed by the Russian-American attorney, Alexey Tarasov, the memorandum is based upon information obtained from a computer said to have been in the possession of co-defendant/co-conspirator Andrew Smulian, which was reportedly made available to Bout's counsel subsequent to his trial and conviction.

The points made; which I have quoted verbatim:

(1) "... Bout's conviction should be set aside, because Smulian apparently had knowledge of the operation against Bout, before the meeting in Bangkok, and there was no shared intent between the parties to a purported conspiracy."

Documents recovered from Bout's computer are alleged to include evidence that Smulian has been solicited to participate in an undercover law enforcement operation, prior to the sting, in 2005. Also, the entries show that Smulian knew that Snow was working as an agent for MI6 & the DEA. Therefor, there was no intent to form a conspiracy.

(2) "Newly discovered involvement of the US Attorney's Office, in persuading this Court to excise its adverse credibility findings, warrants a hearing as to the circumstances leading up to the Court's withdrawal of its credibility determinations, and the prosecutor's discharging the duty to inform the Court of misleading testimony before the Grand Jury."

The Court, prior to the trial, found made an adverse credibility determination, regarding a DEA agent involved in the Thailand arrest; The Government prevailed upon the Court to delete that finding, in connection with the Court's suppression of Bout's post-arrest statements, but the fact that the agent had testified before the Grand Jury was not conveyed to the Court, which Bout's counsel argues casts doubt on the validity of the indictment.  Also, was the Government's conduct improper ?

(3) "New trial should be ordered because the evidence showed that Smulian misled the jury, when he testified that Bout called a Bulgarian arms supplier for surface-to-air missiles."

According to the memorandum, Bout never called Peter Mirchev, a source for missiles, and Smulian's testimony to the jury was false. 

Apparently, Smulian's testimony about the call came as a surprise to Bout's trial counsel, and it was physically impossible to obtain evidence to rebut that statement, making a Mirchev affidavit obtained post-trial newly-discovered evidence. 

The alleged conversation had as significant impact upon the jury, and the outcome would have been different, had evidence controverting the Smulian testimony been introduced. Without the evidence that Bout could have acquired the missiles, the Government's case would have been insufficient to sustain a conviction, and the resulting 25-year sentence.

Bout's counsel is seeking a hearing, and a New Trial, pursuant to Rule 33. There are extensive exhibits attached to the memorandum, in support of the motion.

The Government's response is due August 6th.

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TURKEY INCREASE THE RISK DUE RECENT MIDDLE EAST EVENTS

FROM THE - CHRONICLES of Monte Friesner – Criminal & Intelligence Analyst and Consulaire for WANTED SA~
~Contributed & Written by Kenneth Rijock ~

RAISE COUNTRY RISK ON TURKEY

Recent events in the Middle East, regarding Turkey, are disturbing, and any one of them could harm its domestic economy, cause internal instability, and might even result in armed conflict. These may appear to be unrelated matters, but they are indicia of trouble heading directly towards Turkey's government.

The issues that you need to know:

(1) In the recent election, the nationalistic party in power lost its majority.

(2) Turkey continues to serve as a headquarters, and safe haven, for international operations of Hamas, which is a Specially Designated Global Terrorist organization (SDGT). Several Turkish "journalists" were denied entry to Israel, after the authorities alleged that they were closely linked to Hamas.

(3) Turkish goods, which cannot travel overland to customers in Jordan, through Syria, due to the civil war, are now no longer being shipped into Haifa, in Israel, due to Turkish political considerations.

(4) The President of Turkey has openly stated that he will not allow the Kurdish Syrian opposition to the Assad Regime to create a Kurdish nation in their area, which borders Turkey. His nationalistic policies have observers concerned that he intend to bring back a dominant Turkey to the region.

(5) ISIS/ISIL, which is winning its war against the Syrian Army & its Hezbollah and Iranian mercenary group, may very well end up occupying territory on the Turkish frontier. Will ISIS cross the border, and face off against the Turkish armed forces ?

(6) The so-called Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is in talks with the EU-member Republic of Cyprus, to explore unification. Northern Cyprus is supported by the Turkish Army; how will a political solution in Cyprus play out in Ankara ?

(7) The country's president has arrogantly invited the Muslim world to occupy Jerusalem, which opens the door to yet another unwanted Arab-Israeli war.

Will Turkey end up as the eighth Middle Eastern country to have opposing armed groups seeking to defeat each other in battle ? Whether this happens in 2015, or not, the risk factors listed above are sufficient to justify an increase in Country Risk, at this time.

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CHRISTIANO RONALDO (SPAIN SOCCER STAR) MOTHER FORFEITED SMUGGLED MONEY|

FROM THE - CHRONICLES of Monte Friesner – Criminal & Intelligence Analyst and Consulaire for WANTED SA~
~Contributed & Written by Kenneth Rijock ~

CASH SEIZED FROM MOTHER OF SOCCER STAR TRYING TO LEAVE SPAIN

Ronaldo, and his mother.

Now that we are watching the FIFA corruption scandal unfold, it might be best if compliance officers at banks whose clientele include the world's professional soccer players examine their accounts as well. 

Here's why: The mother of the prominent European soccer star Christiano Ronaldo, who attempted to depart Spain with €55,000 in cash, was briefly detained by the authorities, and €45,000 was seized from her, after she failed to disclose the origin of the money, when interviewed.

She was permitted to depart with €10,000 the maximum amount that Spain allows travelers to leave the country with, when they do not report the personal movement of currency. 

Whether there will be subsequent charges filed is not known at this time. What's a grandmother doing with all that cash ?

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EUROPE PLACES PANAMA ON “BLACK LIST” & IS NOW BEING THREATENED BY PANAMA |

FROM THE - CHRONICLES of Monte Friesner – Criminal & Intelligence Analyst and Consulaire for WANTED SA~
~Contributed & Written by Kenneth Rijock ~

PANAMA DEMANDS THAT THE EU RECONSIDER ITS PLACEMENT WITH TAX HAVENS

The Panamanian Foreign Ministry has demanded that the European Commission revisit its designation of the country as a non-cooperating tax haven jurisdiction. The government agency stated, in a press release, that the EU decision was "not grounded on an objective evaluation."

Panama was placed, last year, on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) "Grey List,"  and it is feared that it will, in 2016, make the organization's Black List, due to the rampant money laundering, and terrorist financing, occurring in Panama City banks. AML/CFT compliance is effectively ignored in the banks, in favor of the lucrative accounts of corrupt PEPs, from both Panama & Venezuela, and narcotics profits.

                                 

The new, reformist government of President Varela, has, thus far, failed to attack bank money laundering, although the anti-corruption campaign has been targeting corrupt former government officials, who have bled billions from the government treasury, and taken illegal insider trading profits. Unless and until there is real AML in Panama, it is not expected that neither the European Commission, nor the FATF, will back off, in their designation of Panama as a tax haven.  

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BEARER SHARES FRAUDSTERS FLEECE FOREIGNERS IN THE REPUBLIC OF PANAMA | Wanted SA |

FROM THE - JOURNALS of Monte Friesner - Senior Advocate & Consulaire for WANTED SA ~ 

Analysis and Commentary by a former Money Launderer ~ Mr. Kenneth Rijock |

Sunday April 22, 2012 - REPRINT ALERT - 

REPUBLIC OF PANAMA ~ A COUNTRY OF CORRUPTION, FRAUDSTERS, COCAINE & MONEY LAUNDERING | PART 1 - SERIES 1 |

Reports abound that more than one thousand real estate frauds have been committed in theRepublic of Panama in the past three years. Most of the victims are from the European Union, the United States and Canada, and they share one thing in common: the fraudsters who exploited those utilized corporations with bearer shares to accomplish their criminal objectives. here's how it works:

(1) A purchaser of real estate is advised, by his broker, attorney or other professional, to take title in the name of a corporation, whether for purposes of secrecy, for tax avoidance, or to avoid disclosure of his or her assets overseas.

(2) A Panamanian corporation is selected by the client's advisor; this company has bearer shares which possess what I regard as two fatal flaws. The name of the owner of such shares never appears anywhere on the certificate, and they are the property of whomever has physical possession.

Furthermore, there is no registry maintained with corporate records identifying shareholders by name.

(3) To obtain the necessary bank loan to purchase the realty, the client executes a security agreement, or escrow agreement, or some other contractual obligation, all of which serve to use the shares as collateral for the loan. Sometimes the documents operate to transfer ownership of the shares to the financial institution that is the lender.

(4) Now its interesting; the fraudster, with the collusion of a corrupt (and well paid) Notary Public, forges the purchaser's signature on a document, which is notarized in the total physical absence of the purported signer (the client) and title is immediately transferred over to the fraudster.

(5) the client closes on the purchase, takes possession, begins to make monthly mortgage payments, only to learn months later that an unknown party has legal and equitable title, and is seeking to take possession; It becomes a nightmare, which only gets worse.

(6) The client retains a Panamanian attorney, who seeks civil, and in some cases, criminal, relief, only to find out that the local judiciary is corrupt, and that a bribe was probably paid to a judge to sit on the case indefinitely.

The fraudster may warn the client that he is connected to the President of Panama (which may be true), that the client will never succeed in court, and that he actually may be arrested if he pursues his claim.

Reports that business partners of the president are committing these fraudulent acts have circulated throughout Panama City.

(7) The client is caught between the proverbial rock and a hard place: he is legally obligated on the mortgage, but he is no longer the owner, and he may even been evicted from the premises, by the authorities, acting on behalf of the new "owner," who may try a number of ploys, including forcing his former client to pay "rent" on the real estate, which, in addition to the mortgage payments, may be too much for client to bear. He returns to his country, and the fraudster then sells the real estate, or looks for another victim, whom he may try to sell the same realty to, and perpetrate his next bearer share fraud.

(8) This type of fraud has exploded in Panama during the past three years, and nobody in government appears to want to stop it.

NOTE: Does anyone who is sane want to risk their savings and invest in the Republic of Panama?

WANTED SA kindly thanks Kenneth Rijock, Associated Press, DEA, FBI, Westlaw, Arutz Sheva, and all the Parties, Press, Journalists, Law Enforcement and Securities Groups who have contributed to the many articles and their sincere opinions and statements.

WANTED SA confirms that the majority of the banks in the Republic of Panama support excellent anti money laundering efforts and will close any bank account suspected of any form of illegal activities. The majority of the banks retain excellent Compliance and Due Diligence Bank Officers.

WANTED SA states that the facts and opinions stated in this article are those of the author and not those of WANTED SA. We do not warrant the accuracy of any of the facts and opinions stated in this article nor do we endorse them or accept any form of responsibility for the articles.

GARY JAMES LUNDGREN CHAIRMAN OF INTERPACIFIC INVESTORS SERVICES COMMITS “BEARER SHARE FRAUD” IN PANAMA |

FROM THE - CHRONICLES of Monte Friesner – Criminal & Intelligence Analyst and Consulaire for WANTED SA~

~Contributed & Written by Kenneth Rijock ~

HOW PANAMA'S BEARER SHARE FRAUD SCHEMES OPERATE

While we have discussed a number of cases, all occurring in the Republic of Panama, where expats become victims of bearer share fraud, we have not covered the actual tradecraft employed by the fraudsters. There are basically two varieties that I am familiar with:

(1) In the first method, the seller of real estate, or his lawyer, advises the purchaser, usually a national from North America, or Europe, that he will rent out the condominium or home, that the victim just purchased, to produce an income stream for the client, and to do so, he needs possession of the bearer shares, of the corporation that is in title, to demonstrate that he has the power to rent out the realty.

After the client leaves Panama, the fraudster transfers title into an entity he owns or controls. When the victim next returns to Panama, he finds out that:

(a) He is no longer the owner; and

(b) The corrupt criminal justice system will not assist him, because the police and/or the prosecutor have already been paid off by the fraudster to bury any complaint.

(c) If he wants to stay in his own property, he will have to pay rent to the fraudster.

(2) The second method involves outright forgery of stock certificates and other interests. In that case, any instruments given to the fraudster by the victim, form the basis of forged assignment of bearer shares, bills of sale, corporate resolution, and other closing documents.

Again, any efforts by the victim to seek legal redress through the court system is frustrated by files intentionally lost at the police station and the prosecutor's office, bogus counter-charges filed by the fraudster's lawyers, and other intentionally dilatory tactics.

There are no statistics on how many expats have lost their real estate investments to these scammers, but it certainly numbers in the hundreds, if not more.

Most victims, having experienced the dark side of Panamanian justice, do not engage in further investments, especially after their attorneys give them a quick tutorial on the corrupt civil court system, where cases can languish for a decade, unless corrupt Supreme Court of Justice judges are paid off.

One of the most active fraudsters in the Republic of Panama, according to his victims, is Gary James Lundgren, whom we have covered here before, due to his curious partnership with Panama's President, Ricardo Martinelli, and his relationship as the "investment advisor" to David Eduardo Murcia Guzmán, the convicted Ponzi schemer. Mr. Lundgren has reportedly defrauded a large number of purchasers of the Bellagio Tower, by forging documents, and illegally taking title to the real estate investments of others.

Now that his "godfather," President Martinelli, is about to leave office, you will see that a number of the pending lawsuits against Lundgren, by victims, will move forward.

The role of his in-house attorney, Alcides Peña, in Lundgren's fraudulent activity, is being examined, as his widespread use of obviously forged documents, and documents that are inconsistent on their face, raises the issue of his culpability in these frauds.

The new president of Panama, who has vowed to attack corruption and white-collar crime, will hopefully see to it that bearer share fraud is vigorously prosecuted.

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