Corrupt politicians can forget about the hassle of offshore accounts or shady Cayman Island banks because now they can just buy their own offshore bank for a mere £8,000.
Giving a new meaning to Internet banking, a number of companies on the Net are offering people the opportunity to do so in the Republic of Montenegro without such annoying details as proving your identity.
The bank can be set up in three to four weeks and one site emphasises: "Please note that we constantly have ready made banks prepared for immediate delivery," for those in a rush to get their money offshore. The new banks licensed by Montenegro are touted as offering correspondent accounts at the national Bank of Montenegro, which in turn has accounts with US, European, Central and South American banks.
Earlier this year, executives of US banks, including giants such as Bank of America, Citibank, and Chase Manhattan Bank, had to appear before a Senate committee investigating how these shell banks ended up having correspondent accounts with US banks.
Correspondent banking, a lucrative activity in which banks provide each other services such as moving funds or exchanging currencies, allows banks to conduct business in countries in which they have no physical presence.
One site claims it can supply as many correspondent accounts in Western European banks as needed. However, when Computimes attempted to contact the company offering the service, the identities of the banks involved were not given. The offshore status of the "ready to go" banks means their foreign owners benefit from tax breaks, exemption from currency controls and confidentiality.
Among the range of services advertised is also an anonymous Credit Card and an Austrian "sparbuch", or savings book account which can be opened without any ID, for just $250.
So why would you want to send all your money to Austria? Well, according to the company, "the modern world is increasingly becoming one in which the individual must take elaborate steps to save himself from Big Brother".
Another company offers international driving licences, NUJ press cards (UK) and travel agents identity cards under false names for between $100 and $200. Why would you want a false identity? The company explains that "Big Brother is more intrusive than ever: in today's high-tech world information is stored . . . forever! None of us can predict what will happen in the future, or when information we give out now could come back to haunt us."
The website also offers second passports and diplomatic passports and papers for $49,995.
The US government is now seeking to crack down on the world's tax havens following the terrorist attacks on September 11th and the subsequent trouble US investigators have encountered in tracking Osama bin Laden's global assets. Bin Laden is thought to control offshore bank accounts and "brass plate companies" and US officials are encountering serious problems following the money trail once its heads offshore. Despite this, special offers available on the Global Money site include US Financial Institutions starting at $4,999, anonymous North European bank debit cards from only $1,250 and offshore companies for $999.
If you have lost your passport or had it confiscated before fleeing the country, worry not. From the same people who gave you offshore banks at a snip, you can acquire a Central American passport for $16,000, an EU passport for $38,000 or a passport from any English-speaking country for $40,000.
Those who are looking for a higher calling can become ennobled as a Baron, Countess or Lord for as little as $750. Among the benefits cited from acquiring such titles are "in the business world, people will take you more seriously. When making reservations in restaurants or booking hotels, you may find the best table, and frequent free upgrades to the best room, with very attentive service and preferential treatment. Bank managers just can't help you enough, suddenly you're treated like a VIP." But for people looking for something more, you can become "Lord of the Manor" for $25,000 complete with a genuine antique Rolls Royce.