Brazil

Latin America Round-Up: October 5, 2006

October 5, 2006

BRAZIL Complicated campaignIt looked like an easy first round victory for President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva until Brazil's election campaign was shaken by a convoluted corruption scandal. The president's party, the Workers Party (known as PT), has been accused

Latin America Round-Up: September 7, 2006

September 7, 2006

BRAZIL New intelligence unit Brazil's Foreign Ministry officially announced the creation of an intelligence center, in cooperation with Argentina and Paraguay, located in Foz do Iguacu - in the so called tri border region - to combat money laundering and

Brazil seeks identities of anti-Semite web-site operator

August 8, 2006

Article based on an application to collect evidence for a criminal investigation into the operators of the web-site at www.valhalla88.com - pursuant to a request for judicial assistance from Brazil - that was filed at federal court in the USA on July 11, 2006.

Latin America Round-Up: August 8, 2006

August 8, 2006

MEXICO: The Trouble with Acapulco; REGIONAL: Tri-Border Area Targeted; Remittances under Fire; Remittances Gone Bad; and VENEZUELA: Better Practices?

Latin America Round-Up: May 5, 2006

May 5, 2006

ARGENTINA & OTHERS Efforts to regulate remittances markets…The Argentinean Central Bank is examining a plan to toughen the regulation of the remittances market in order to prevent money laundering. Remittances to Argentina rose almost eightfold, from $100 billion in 2001

Banco Sudameris account required for money laundering investigation in Brazil

May 5, 2006

Brazil is seeking details about an account at Banco Sudameris, in Miami, Florida as part of a criminal investigation into alleged money laundering. Details are contained in an application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence - pursuant

Brazil: Joao Francisco Daniel

March 31, 2006

Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation in Brazil into suspected money laundering and other financial crimes by Joao Francisco Daniel, Laodse Denis de Abreu Duarte and Geraldo Rondon da Rocha Azevedo.

Latin America Round-Up: March 6, 2006

March 6, 2006

ARGENTINA: New Anti-Money Laundering unit; BRAZIL: PineBank under Scrutiny in Miami; CHILE: More controls over casinos; COLOMBIA: Businessman accused of money laundering; Rodríguez Orejuela's son in trouble; DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: The Anti-Laundering Unit fever goes on; GUATEMALA: US to help in anti-laundering efforts; INTERNATIONAL: New guidelines for correspondent banks; REGIONAL: In the footsteps of their fathers; and PERU: Laundered money is about $550 Million.

Belgium: Jean-Philippe Pecoraro et al

February 1, 2006

Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation in Belgium into Jean-Philippe Pecoraro, Jean-Noel Meinard, Guy De Backere, Albert De Bleecker, Carine Carpin and others for suspected involvement in narcotics trafficking and money laundering.

Trade and Commerce Bank: Chapter 15 Petition (Cayman Islands)

December 21, 2005

Chapter 15 Petition for Recognition of a Foreign Main Proceeding in the Cayman Islands by Richard Fogerty and James Cleaver, as Foreign Representatives of Trade and Commerce Bank, at the U. S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.

Cayman liquidators sue Parmalat bankers & auditors

November 28, 2005

The liquidators of three offshore firms have filed two civil lawsuits in the U. S. in which they are seeking nearly $1 billion from the main banker and auditors of the Parmalat food and milk processing group.They have alleged a

Latin America Round-Up: November 4, 2005

November 4, 2005

BRAZIL Business as usualDespite a bribery scandal that has shaken the Brazilian government to its roots since June, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva remains a strong candidate for re election in October 2006. According to local media reports, the

Soccer star Romario defrauded of $5 m, say Polish investigators

November 4, 2005

Article based on an application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation into alleged investment fraud - pursuant to a request for judicial assistance from Poland - that was filed at federal court in the USA on October 20, 2005. Individuals and businesses mentioned in the request for assistance include Piotr Osuch, a.k.a. Peter von Hochburg, a.k.a. Peter von Hochberg; Ian Francis Burns, Michael Kupfer, Harlan Polk, a.k.a. Hap Polk; William Gerald Gamble, Peter Shackleton, Bernard Hardingham, John Townley, Jo Arpino, Erwin Jess, William Long, John Daniel Deuter, Jennifer de Zerne, Robert Dean, Thomas Waples, Luiz Ferreira de Moraes, Bob Dean, David Grow, Rodolfo Oeshlin, Sondej Janusz, Wojcik Janusz, Wieslaw Binek, Czeslaw Adamski, Michal Lewinski, Grzegorz Dziedkinski, Edward Rogowski, Edward Rutkowski, Roland Lambregts, Mobin Shater Ghassem, Noel Collett, Romario De Souza Faria, Jerzy Lejman, Stanislaw Swaczyj, Lin Shih Kuang, Chen Chen-Ming, Geoffrey Busch, Hans Peter Wildrath, Frederico Antunes, Koncern Agro-Fruct, Credex International Limited, Multi-Color Investment Limited, White Horse Trust, Gold Beach Foundation Inc., KB Securities, Farianex, Full-Oil, Sherwood Group PTY Ltd., Swiss Realinvest AG, Multidevelopment Inc., Asset Investment Group Limited, United Collectors, Ambel Group Inc., ITT Group Ltd., Sogevalor, ING Bank Slaski Spolka Akcyjna, GE Capital Bank Spolka Akcyjna, Bank Pekao Spolka Akcyjna, Raiffeisen Bank Polska Spolka Akcyjna, Pictet & Cie Banquiers, Citibank, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, BBVA Bancomer, Bank of Albuquerque, JPMorgan Chase Bank, and Dresdner Bank.

Poland: Piotr Osuch

October 20, 2005

Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation in Poland into Piotr Osuch, a.k.a. Peter von Hochburg, for alleged investment fraud, check forgery, and using a false passport and driver's license to obtain financing for real estate transactions.

Latin America Round-Up: September 4, 2005

September 4, 2005

BRAZIL Party blues Luiz Inácio “Lula” da Silva's government is still paralyzed by the corruption scandal that has been going on for three months. His Workers' Party (PT), which believed it had exclusivity on principled politics in Brazil, is now

Spain: Michel Nunes

August 25, 2005

Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation in Spain into Michel Nunes for alleged fraud.

SEGOES owner tried to breach asset freeze, say liquidators

August 12, 2005

The owner of a failed offshore securities broker that apparently defrauded clients out of millions of dollars has attempted to breach an asset freeze order, it has been claimed.Details of the allegation against John Kaweske Jr. are contained in the first interim report of the joint official liquidators of SEGOES Services Ltd. to customers and creditors, which is dated July 7, 2005 but only publicly released on August 3.

Latin America Round-Up: August 3, 2005

August 3, 2005

BRAZIL: Corruption Crisis in Brazil Deepens; GUATEMALA: Portillo Can Travel; LATIN AMERICA: Remittances on the High; and PERU: New Member of the Egmont Group.

Offshore bank and investment firm go into liquidation

July 5, 2005

An investment firm in the British Virgin Islands and a related offshore bank in Antigua have gone into liquidation with combined liabilities estimated at hundreds of millions of dollars.Alsace Lorraine Investment Services went into liquidation at the BVI High Court on January 28, 2005, with Glenn Harrigan and Simon Whicker, of KPMG in the BVI and Cayman, respectively, appointed joint liquidators. Eleven days later on February 8, 2005, Bank of Europe Limited was placed into liquidation by the High Court in Antigua & Barbuda, with Peter Queeley and Hugh Henry appointed joint liquidators. The Bank had previously gone into receivership on December 4, 2004. 

Brazil seeks to recover ‘criminal proceeds’ in Florida

March 31, 2005

Article based on an application to collect evidence for a criminal investigation into alleged bribery and corruption - pursuant to a request for judicial assistance from Brazil - that was filed at federal court in the USA on February 25, 2005. Individuals and businesses mentioned in the request for assistance include Operation Anaconda, Norma Regina Emilio Cunha, João Carlos da Rocha Mattos, and Foxhall Condominium.

Brazil: Operation Anaconda

February 25, 2005

Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation in Brazil - known as Operation Anaconda - into bribery and public corruption involving federal public employees, judicial officers and police authorities.  

Brazil seeks evidence from Florida-domiciled RAM Trading International

January 31, 2005

Article based on an application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation into alleged fraud and money laundering - pursuant to a request for judicial assistance from Brazil - that was filed at federal court in the USA on January 18, 2005. Individuals and businesses mentioned in the request for assistance include Apolo Santana Vieira, Matteo Bologna, Marco Arce, Rodrigo Arce, a.k.a. Rodrigo Tavares and Rodrigo Tavares Arce; Eduardo Manoel Priori Ferreira da Silva, Maria das Graças Queiroz Gomes, Antônio Henrique Vieira Nunes, Carlos Rafael de Santana, Maria Silza Fereira de Lavor, Joselma Gonçalves da Silva, Eudes Queiroz Gomes, Walter da Silva Vieira, Robson Magno Conceição Fonsêca, Gil Tavares de Freitas (or Gil Tavares Freitas), Evandro Antônio do Nascimento, Alpha Pneus, Alpha Trading Comercio Importacao e Exportacao Ltda., and RAM Trading International Inc.

Brazil: Alpha Pneus

January 18, 2005

Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation in Brazil into Apolo Santana Vieira, Matteo Bologna, Marco Arce, Rodrigo Arce, Eduardo Manoel Priori Ferreira da Silva, Maria das Gracas Queiroz Gomes, Antonio Henrique Vieira Nunes, Carlos Rafael de Santana, Maria Silza Pereira de Lavor, Joselma Goncalves da Silva, Eudes Queiroz Gomes, Walter da Silva Vieira, Robson Magno Conceicao Fonseca, Gil Tavares de Freitas and Evandro Antonio do Nascimento for suspected fraud and money laundering involving Alpha Pneus and other companies.

Latin America Round-Up: December 31, 2004

December 31, 2004

ARGENTINA: He Came Back for Christmas; BRAZIL: Banking Scandal; CHILE: "Pinochecks" Pay Back; COLOMBIA: Rodríguez Orejuela Faces Charges in the U. S.; ECUADOR: Money from Colombia?; GUATEMALA: No Visa for Military Men; LATIN AMERICA: More Corruption is expected in 2005; and PANAMA: Fraudulent Loans.

Brazil seeks extradition of Mateus Jose Cardoso

November 30, 2004

Brazil is seeking the extradition of a Florida resident to face charges of conspiracy to commit murder and fraud.Details are contained in an extradition complaint that was filed at the U. S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida on November 3, 2004.

Brazil seeks evidence in Florida for fraud and money laundering investigation

September 30, 2004

Article based on an application to collect evidence for a criminal investigation into alleged fraud and money laundering - pursuant to a request for judicial assistance from Brazil - that was filed at federal court in the USA on August 24, 2004. Individuals and businesses mentioned in the request for assistance include Barcelona Tour Cambio e Turismo Ltda, Barcelona Inc., Offshore Montero Securities Inc., Prima Management LCC, Cambios Gales, Lespan SA, Beacon Hill Service Corp., Lisco Overseas Inc., MIRO, Antonio Oliveira Claramunt, Jose Diogo de Oliveira Campos, Silvio de Almeida e Souza, Altair Inacio de Lima, Marcelo Viana, Valdecir Geraldi, Ussen Ali Chahime, Pine Bank, Wachovia Bank, HSBC Bank, Interbank, and Chase Manhattan Bank.

Brazil seeks bank records in Florida for investigation into money exchange business

September 30, 2004

Article based on an application to collect evidence for a criminal investigation into the alleged operation of an illegal monetary exchange - pursuant to a request for judicial assistance from Brazil - that was filed at federal court in the USA on September 7, 2004. Individuals and businesses mentioned in the request for assistance include Humberto Verre, Citibank, Credit Suisse Bank, Autocar V2, Vila Prudente Automoveis Ltda., and Casa Verre Ltda.

Brazil: Humberto Verre

September 7, 2004

Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation in Brazil into Humberto Verre for suspected money laundering.

Brazil seeks bank account information for tax fraud investigation into ‘psychic’

August 31, 2004

Article based on an application to collect evidence for a criminal investigation into alleged tax evasion - pursuant to a request for judicial assistance from Brazil - that was filed at federal court in the USA on July 27, 2004. Individuals and businesses mentioned in the request for assistance include Rubens de Faria, Jr., R. Faria Consultoria e Representação Ltda, Nelson Jose Nunes Junior, Sebastião Odilio Moreira da Costa, Luiz Antonio Desiderio, Rita de Cassia Moreira Costa, and Citibank.

Brazil: Barcelona Tour Cambio e Turismo Ltda. et al

August 24, 2004

Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation in Brazil into suspected fraud and money laundering by Antonio Oliveira Claramunt, Jose Diogo de Oliveira Campos, Silvio de Almeida e Souza, Altair Inacio de Lima, Marcelo Viana, Valdecir Geraldi, and Ussen Ali Chahime regarding Barcelona Tour Cambio e Turismo, Ltda.

Spain seeks evidence in Florida for money laundering investigation

July 31, 2004

Article based on an application to collect evidence for a criminal investigation into alleged money laundering - pursuant to a request for judicial assistance from Spain - that was filed at federal court in the USA on June 30, 2004. Individuals and businesses mentioned in the request for assistance include Domingo Tarruella Dalmau, Roberto de Luca, Carlos Augusto Quintero Patino, Robert P. Gleusner, Brian Lennon, Ronald Reed, Manuel Lao Hernandez, Alicia Esther Franch, International Gaming Manufacturing, a.k.a. Leisure & Gaming Corporation; Forum Technology Ltd., Winner Group SA, J.L.M. Trading Corp., Hoboken Floramerica, Pacific Seafood Inc., Lakeview Flowers Inc., Surhtos Inc., Floramerica Inc., Big Plantain American Inc., L&G Corporation, Blazing Ltda, Enkor Business Corporation, Beauport Commercial, Atronic, Unidelca SA, Super Siete, Tuworld Inversora SA, Edsaco Ltd., Nova Atlantis SA, Consultoria International, Merrydown Ltd., Meadowside Management Ltd., Luis Flores, Barclays Bank, NationsBank International, Lloyds TSB Bank, ABN AMRO and Banco Ganadero.

Brazil: Rubens de Faria, Jr.

July 27, 2004

Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation in Brazil into Rubens de Faria, Jr. for "crimes involving physical harm to other individuals and tax evasion, based on the facts provided that Rubens de Faria Jr. claimed to be possessed by the spirit of the late Dr. Fritz and tried to cure individuals of serious medical conditions in return for money."

Spain: Domingo Tarruella Dalmau (Florida)

June 30, 2004

Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation in Spain into Domingo Tarruella Dalmau and others for alleged money laundering.

Brazil: Jose Maria Ribas Muller

May 17, 2004

Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation in Brazil into Jose Maria Ribas Muller and Joao Achiles Grenier Gluck for alleged bank fraud and tax evasion.

Latin America Round-Up: April 30, 2004

April 30, 2004

ARGENTINA: Menem 'suffering' in exile; Carrousel of bank executives accused; BOLIVIA: Two more bank employees in the dungeon; COLOMBIA: Trust us, we're the Police; PARAGUAY: González Macchi's process grows; Journalists and presidential pressure; and REGIONAL: Latin American presidents: A catalogue of abuse.

Latin America Round-Up: February 29, 2004

February 29, 2004

ARGENTINA: The Swiss connection; New charges for banker; BRAZIL: Lula faces first scandal; EL SALVADOR: Sentences in El Carmen case; GUATEMALA: Portillo on the run; MEXICO: Court rules U.S. operation unconstitutional; PARAGUAY: Looking for minister Ferreira; The Peirano brothers: scapegoats?; and PERU: Toledo in trouble.

Portugal: Marcelo Reginaldo

February 27, 2004

Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation in Portugal into Marcelo Reginaldo, Fernando Tadeu Reginaldo, Sandro Jose Reginaldo, Manuel Francisco Reginaldo Filho, Juares Machado dos Santos, Heleno Leopoldo Loh and Fabricio Silveira Dias for alleged fraud.  

Parmalat Capital Finance Ltd.: Section 304 Petition

January 20, 2004

Section 304 Petition for Assistance in Insolvency Proceedings in the Cayman Islands by Gordon MacRae and James Cleaver, as the Foreign Representatives of Parmalat Capital Finance Limited, at the U. S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.

Latin America Round-Up: May 31, 2003

May 31, 2003

ARGENTINA Bad start for new president Néstor Kirchner, an obscure provincial governor, became Argentina's president elect by default when former President Carlos Menem withdrew alleging that there was "a systematic slander campaign" against him. Menem is on trial for several

Brazil: Diogenes Bayde Importadora

February 26, 2003

Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation in Brazil into Salim Bayde Filho, Jr. and his wife, Carla Maria Pinheiro Bayde, for suspected tax evasion through their company Diogenes Bayde Importadora e Exportadora Ltda.

Switzerland: Claudio Boscaro et al

February 20, 2003

Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation in Switzerland into Claudio Boscaro and Santo Maesano for alleged fraud, forgery and money laundering

Latin America Round-Up: October 31, 2002

October 31, 2002

ARGENTINA The bankers' parade Michael Smith, of HSBC, declared before judge Claudio Bonadío that bribes were somewhat customary in Argentina. Smith—a British citizen who has been only months in the South American country—was testifying in a new case of alleged

Brazil: Overland Advisory Services

October 23, 2002

Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation in Brazil into alleged corruption and bribery involving MetroRED Telecommicacoes Ltda., Overland Advisory Services, Agua Nova Comercio e Servicos Ltda, Caio Fabio D'araujo Filho, Paulo Sergio Rosa, Oscar de Barros, Jose Maria Teixeira Ferraz, Jorge Luiz Frederich Vital, Plinio Guilherme da Silva, Walter Coronado Antunes Filho, Reynaldo Emygdio de Barros and Celso Roberto Pitta.

Brazil: Wagner Baptista Ramos

September 12, 2002

Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation in Brazil into allegations of money laundering, corruption, deviation of public funds and illegal trading in false securities involving Wagner Baptista Ramos and others.

Latin America Round-Up: August 31, 2002

August 31, 2002

ARGENTINA: Menem in deeper trouble; Funny operations to save BISEL; Duhalde criticized; COLOMBIA: New President; LATIN AMERICA: Enron tentacles in Latin America; NICARAGUA: No visa; Alemán, formally accused; PARAGUAY: New financial scandal; and URUGUAY: Little Uruguay sneezes, Latin America is already sick.

Brazil: Nelson Sakaguchi

August 8, 2002

Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation in Brazil into Nelson Sakaguchi for allegedly stealing over $240 million from his employer, Banco Noroeste.

Regulatory Warnings: June 30, 2002

June 30, 2002

Recently-filed warnings from securities regulators around the world.

Brazil: Improver International Fund Ltd.

June 14, 2002

Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation in Brazil into British Virgin Islands-domiciled Improver International Fund Ltd. for suspected involvement in corruption, securities fraud, tax evasion and money laundering.

Brazil: Jose Samuel Benzecry

April 8, 2002

Application for the appointment of a Commissioner to collect evidence for a criminal investigation into Marcos Marcelino De Oliveira, Jose Samuel Benzecry,Ourvoida Serruya Benzecry, Leonardo Dias Mendonca and others for suspected money laundering, smuggling, foreign currency evasion, and tax evasion.

Latin America Round-Up: March 31, 2002

March 31, 2002

COLOMBIA: News of a kidnapping; GUATEMALA: A tale of embezzlement; HONDURAS: Funny transactions in Honduras; A law against money laundering; NICARAGUA: New charges against Interbank executives; PANAMA: New dirty links between Peru and Panama; Portillo tarnished by accusations; URUGUAY: BCCI's death throes; and REGIONAL: Waves from Washington; Latin America EXTRA.