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The end of Londongrad? The impact of beneficial ownership transparency on offshore investment in UK property

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  • Matthew Collin
  • Florian M. Hollenbach
  • David Szakonyi

Abstract

The United Kingdom's (UK) property markets are thought to be a common destination for corrupt and criminal assets and money laundering, with investment often through offshore shell companies. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, we study the impact of the introduction of a policy in the UK intended to increase transparency and eliminate the anonymous ownership of property by requiring offshore companies to file their ultimate beneficial owners on a public register.

Suggested Citation

  • Matthew Collin & Florian M. Hollenbach & David Szakonyi, 2023. "The end of Londongrad? The impact of beneficial ownership transparency on offshore investment in UK property," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2023-11, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2023-11
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    File URL: https://www.wider.unu.edu/sites/default/files/Publications/Working-paper/PDF/wp2023-11-end-Londongrad-impact-beneficial-ownership-transparency-offshore-investment-UK-property.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Money laundering; Real property; Ownership; Transparency; Tax evasion; Corruption;
    All these keywords.

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