Wikileaks: Victor Bout Extradition was almost stopped

A trove of documents unveils the inner workings of two apparent scam centers in the tiny Pacific island nation of Palau. They also shed light on how local elites and weak laws appear to be helping this sophisticated industry thrive in even the most far-flung locations.

They looked like different brokers competing for your investment. Underneath, they shared the same staff, the same spreadsheets, and the same goal: whisking your money away.

OCCRP reviewed the sales of 30 planes by Lance Zane Ricotta’s companies since 2014, and found evidence that 11 of them were seized, investigated, or found abroad in suspected or confirmed drug cases. Ricotta denied liability for how the aircraft were used, and experts said a loophole in U.S. plane registration rules makes it difficult to trace the real owners.