The Panama Papers is the name given to a leaked database of the Panama law firm, Mossack Fonseca. The law firm is the fourth largest offshore firm worldwide and its focus is on incorporating offshore businesses and opening offshore accounts. The Panama Papers which were leaked include extensive details, including the names of accountholders and information on how corporations were created and how money was moved.

The United States government and governments worldwide have been cracking down in recent years on offshore accountholders who are not reporting their offshore investment income or paying taxes on the income.  There have been numerous settlements with Swiss Banks through which the Department of Justice has gleaned extensive information on offshore banking practices. Now, however, the unauthorized release of 11 million documents, which is being called The Panama Papers, has revealed a treasure-trove of information about offshore banking practices.