Illicit financial flows
Uncovering hidden financial flows: Investigating ownership secrecy, offshore real estate, and illicit finance to promote transparency and accountability.
The Illicit Financial Flows and Real Estate Program conducts cutting-edge research to better understand and combat illicit financial flows, including money laundering, cross-border corruption, and tax evasion. Our work also explores the key drivers behind offshore investments, particularly in real estate and cryptocurrencies.
Our research covers critical topics such as:
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Ownership secrecy and the impact of beneficial ownership transparency
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Offshore investment in real estate and cryptocurrencies
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Illicit trade, due diligence, and sanctions
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State capture and cross-border corruption mechanisms
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Money laundering dynamics and anti-money laundering policies
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Methods for analyzing leaked data and other unconventional data sources
Program coordinator: Matthew Collin
Relevant publications
26.05.2025
Safely Opening Pandora’s Box: A Guide for Researchers Working with Leaked Data
In this paper, we (i) present the growing body of social science research that relies on leaked data, (ii) discuss the ethical, legal and privacy hurdles faced by projects relying on such data and (iii) offer a practical roadmap for researchers looking to enter the space.
12.03.2025
The End of Londongrad? Ownership transparency and Offshore Investment in Real Estate
This paper studies the impact of beneficial ownership transparency in the British real estate market.
13.06.2024
The Mystery of Anonymous Investment in US Real Estate
This note addresses the significant concerns associated with anonymous real estate ownership in the United States, highlighting how a considerable amount of property, including residential real estate, is held via corporate entities that conceal the true owners.
15.05.2024
Foreign investment in the Dubai housing market, 2020-2024
This note presents new evidence on the scale of foreign investment in the Dubai residential property market. Using new data comprising the ownership of a large share of the Dubai property market, we present updated estimates of foreign-owned real estate for the years 2020 and 2022.
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