The Panama Papers

How the World's Rich and Powerful Hide Their Money

By: Frederik Obermaier, Bastian Obermayer

Narrated by: Simon Shepherd

Late one evening investigative journalist Bastian Obermayer receives an anonymous message offering him access to secret data. Through encrypted channels he then receives documents showing a mysterious bank transfer for $500 million in gold. This is just the beginning.

Obermayer and fellow Süddeutsche Zeitung journalist Frederik Obermaier find themselves immersed in a secret world where complex networks of shell companies help to hide people who don't want to be found. Faced with the largest data leak in history, they activate an international network of journalists to follow every possible line of enquiry.

Operating for over a year in the strictest secrecy, they uncover a global elite living by a different set of rules: prime ministers, dictators, oligarchs, princelings, sports officials, big banks, arms smugglers, mafiosi, diamond miners, art dealers and celebrities. The real-life thriller behind the story of the century, The Panama Papers is an intense, pause-resisting account that blows their secret world wide open.

©2016 Frederik Obermaier and Bastian Obermayer (P)2016 Audible, Ltd

Critic reviews

"The biggest leak in the history of data journalism." (Edward Snowden)
"This is the inside story of how governments, corporations and organised crime groups have used the secret world of offshore jurisdictions to engage in systematic cheating and thieving. It's an almost perfect tale for the 21st century - the failure of democracy, the triumph of commercial power and greed, greed, greed." (Nick Davies, special correspondent, Guardian)

A bit dull, but nevertheless an eye-opening account

I wanted to love this book, but I couldn’t get into it. It is written in a thorough, systematic and very German approach. Although the subject was interesting, I would find myself spacing out and not paying attention for big parts of this book. The narration didn’t help, either. Nevertheless, it’s an eye-opening account what actually happened and how messed up of a company MOSFON really was in helping so many of the worlds elite and shady characters hide their wealth. We can only hope that one day people will say enough is enough and do something about it.

overall good but I don't agree with all

Not all offshore is bad. There are plenty of citizens in the world that are not part of the big tax heavy countries of the world. Those that legitimately shouldn't be overburdened with the tax regimes of other countries. Offshore shouldn't go away, but it obviously needs to managed better. Opening transparency on real owners is, as the authors states, a minimal start.

Textbook boring, A+ material.

Not bad if you can stomach through the hours of pure fluff. The story telling is more like a loose association of news paper clippings than a finished book. Changes more topics than someone tripping on LSD. Decent, but not ideal... Better to just read the online articles than the book as it saves time.

Fascinating read

Highly recommend this book. It’s a page turner packed with information. If you’re interested in the world of finance, this is a must read.

great journalists awful philosophers

statist and political editorializing. fascinating investigative journalism nonetheless. parts of the book are unbareable if you are a libertarian.

brilliant work

Should be read and studied in schools. An important work for the future generations. An important work for humanity.

Have we forgotten already

With Qatar being perhaps the latest FIFA scandal, I can only wonder if we have already forgotten the lessons of this ground breaking investigative story. With a first person voice, the narrator takes you on a remarkable adventure! Hang on for the ride!

Social Justice

It’s a confirmation of the never ending need to reform our hearts and hold each other accountable to the benefit of all. The theft of nations through tax evasion must be corrected for the sake of peace and harmony in our world.

Simon Shepherd should read all audiobooks!

Seriously this reader should read all audio books well done.
Also I was aware of how the rich hide wealth off shore and shell companies etc (Marty Byrd?), blown away at all the details and everyone they found involved. Not done yet. 10/10 worth it.

Thrilling story of the abuse of offshore corporate formation

A book with a lot of wow power. Thrilling and engaging. Never lets up. The account of the basis of the Panama Papers, how the two terabytes of information evolved, the 400 journalists around the world were recruited to write the articles based on the information. It is an incredible story. See also, Jake Bernstein’s, SECRECY WORLD. Simon Shepherd does an outstanding job narrating the story.