How exposing anonymous companies could cut down on crime - Global Witness

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Companies are artificial entities created to allow real people to do business. But, unfortunately, there are some types of companies that aren’t engaged in any business at all. Instead, these anonymous companies exist mainly to disguise people doing things they’d rather not have the public know about. Global Witness explains how anonymous companies are used to cover up crime and corruption.


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TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Script Editor Alex Gendler
  • Director Serin İnan, Tolga Yıldız
  • Animator Tuncay Çetin
  • Composer Cem Misirlioglu, Brooks Ball
  • Narrator Addison Anderson
Additional Resources for you to Explore
Global Witness co-founder Charmian Gooch won the 2014 TED Prize. Her TED Prize wish was revealed at TED2014, and you can view her first TED Talk (Meet global corruption's hidden players) here.

For more info on what sorts of activities anonymous companies can aid, read these case studies. Then take a look at this in-depth investigation into the true owners of some of the world’s most expensive real estate. You can also check out this visualization to get an idea of the complex global scope of the issue. Finally, you can get involved in the movement for greater financial transparency across the world by learning about Global Witness and its work to challenge global corruption.

Please see here for a case study and accompanying report from Global Witness.

Customize this lesson

Create and share a new lesson based on this one.

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Script Editor Alex Gendler
  • Director Serin İnan, Tolga Yıldız
  • Animator Tuncay Çetin
  • Composer Cem Misirlioglu, Brooks Ball
  • Narrator Addison Anderson

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