The stereotype associated with the words ‘offshore tax haven’ is depicted with many negative connotations, many of which are often exaggerated depictions and plagued with erroneous associations.

Accompanying imagery brings up tropical Caribbean destinations in which greased whiten linen suit wearing mafioso types hand over briefcases full of unmarked currency to a local attorney who launders the money through an intricate series of offshore transfers.

The exaggerations, largely conjured up through Hollywood blockbusters, fills the head with such conceptualizations by exploiting the publics craving for tabloid-like headlines. As if often the case, the reality is a far cry from the romanticized picture captured by the camera.

In the wake of the Paradise Paper leaks, there has been a public outcry in response to the revelation of documents connecting high profile figures and companies with offshore accounts in low-tax jurisdictions.

Though the Paradise Papers revealed no illegality, governments and the media have criticized those named in the documents accused of safeguarding wealth overseas to avoid paying higher tax rates.

Those named included the Queen of England, members of the US and Canadian Governments and Apple amongst others.

Exploiting the public’s desire for sensationalism the media has continued to portray offshore banking and finance as a shadow world of illicit underground dealings failing to recognize that it provides a necessary service that enables and supports the globalized economic structure providing many services for industries across the spectrum.