An investigation by the New York Times found that Al Queada and its affiliates have taken at least $125 million in revenue from kidnapping for ransom since 2008. Roughly half, or $66 Million, was paid out in 2013. The United States Treasury put the total at $165 million for the same period. Since 2008, the… Continue reading Ransom Payments to Al Qaeda in 2013
Tag: Switzerland Security Threats
Human Trafficking in Switzerland in 2013
According to statistics released by security agencies in Switzerland, there were 61 cases of human trafficking reported in the country in 2013. Most of the trafficking cases dealt with sexual exploitation. The number of cases reported was lower than the 78 human trafficking cases reported in 2012. In 2012, statistics showed that people from Romania,… Continue reading Human Trafficking in Switzerland in 2013
Counterfeit Swiss Watches Seized in 2013
The Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry reported that over 120,000 counterfeit Swiss watches were seized during anti-counterfeiting campaigns in 2013. In a single raid on a warehouse in Dubai, authorities seized about 90,000 fake Swiss watches. In addition to the counterfeit watches, nearly 700,000 components used to make counterfeit Swiss watches were also seized… Continue reading Counterfeit Swiss Watches Seized in 2013
US Prosecution of Swiss Bank Account Holders
Between 2009 and 2013, prosecutors in the United States brought cases against 68 US citizens, 3 Swiss banks, and 30 bankers, lawyers and tax advisers for tax evasion activities. During that time period, the IRS conducted an amnesty program that allowed US citizens to declare their bank accounts in Switzerland in order to avoid prosecution.… Continue reading US Prosecution of Swiss Bank Account Holders
Tax Rate For Switzerland’s Prostitutes
Prostitution is a legal, regulated industry in Switzerland. Sex workers who chose to work in the industry must pay a tax of $5.39 (5 Swiss Francs) for each night that they work as a prostitute. There are 14,000 officially registered sex workers in Switzerland. According to union rules, the must charge at least $100 to… Continue reading Tax Rate For Switzerland’s Prostitutes
Estimated Untaxed US Money Held in Switzerland
According to a report in Reuters, sources within the finance industry estimated that up to $10 Billion in untaxed US clients money is held by insurers in Switzerland as of July 2013. Source: “Swiss insurers brace for next U.S. crackdown on untaxed billions,” Reuters, July 4, 2013.
Value of Gold Smuggled Out of Zimbabwe Each Month
The Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe reported in May 2013 that up to $50 Million worth of gold was being illegally smuggled out of Zimbabwe each month. The gold is believed to be smuggled to South Africa where it is refined on its way to Switzerland. The cost to refine the gold in South Africa… Continue reading Value of Gold Smuggled Out of Zimbabwe Each Month
Financial Suspicious Activity Reports in Switzerland in 2012
Swiss banking officials filed 1,585 suspicious activity reports in 2012 to federal authorities. The suspicious transactions involved $3.3 Billion (3.15 Billion Swiss Francs). 6 of the cases involved almost half of the money that was flagged. Between 2010 to 2012, the number of reports flagged by the Swiss banking industry increased by almost 50 percent… Continue reading Financial Suspicious Activity Reports in Switzerland in 2012
Human Trafficking in Switzerland
Between 2009 and 2011, the Federal Statistics Office in Switzerland lodged 147 cases of human trafficking in the country.
Human Trafficking Victims in Brazil
The Justice Ministry of Brazil reported that it has found around 500 people who have been victims of human trafficking between 2005 and 2012.