Financial information that was given anonymously and released by German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung and is considered to be one of the biggest leaks on behalf of investigative journalists of all time. These documents included emails, transcripts, and other documents and exposed the offshore accounts of approximately 140 world leaders that maintained these accounts in countries commonly referred to as “tax havens” that allows the wealthy individuals to hide money so it will not be taxed heavily by their country of residence or face strict regulations. Although the possession of offshore banking accounts is relatively common and even encouraged for the preservation of money for the mega-rich, it can also be used for money laundering, unfair tax exemptions, and organized crime.

The two people on the list who have the highest name recognition are Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, and Lionel Messi, a professional Argentinian soccer player. Other political leaders include current and former presidents of Ukraine, UAE, Sudan, and Argentina, current and former prime ministers of Iceland, Iraq, Jordan, Georgia, Ukraine, and Qatar, and the current King of Saudi Arabia. Others include Actor Jackie Chan, a money launderer who helped finance Watergate, members of the FIFA ethics committee, and 29 of the 500 Forbes’ Richest Men in the World. The list continues on and ranges from kings to the “favorite contractor” of Mexico’s president. To see an aesthetically pleasing version of the full list of account holders, click this link: https://panamapapers.icij.org/the_power_players/.

The documents that were originally held by an influential law firm called Mossack Fonesca that is based in Panama, but has branches worldwide. This organization creates the majority of the world’s “shell companies” that allow owners to hide money. Through these companies, world leaders have become linked to Africa’s diamond trade, the sale of major artwork worldwide, the sale of opulent yachts and real estate, and other questionable activities.

That’s not all, a full list is said to be released in early May.