COMMENT: It appears that the Mafia has become serious competition for the government in the ex-Soviet Union. This is not surprising to anyone who has read "The Sovereign Individual" - where organized crime is predicted to rise exponentially. What is interesting though, is how much this "crime" is based on such things as drugs, pornography and weapons - things that are increasingly prohibited by governments. That which is prohibited goes "underground" - and gets run by the sort of businesses that don't mind flouting the law - the Mafia! They're just in business after all - the sort of business that is illegal, and therefore far more profitable! Do not omit to read this bit in the post I just sent you from: http://offshoreprofit.com -----Original Message----- From: OPC International <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Opsecrets <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Monday, 6 September 1999 2:37 PM Subject: "Offshore & Privacy Secrets, September 6, 1999" >================================================================ > >> "Offshore & Privacy Secrets, September 6, 1999" << > Published by OPC International > http://offshoreprofit.com >================================================================ > > CONTENTS > > [1] Welcome! > [2] Feedback > [3] Investing in the Offshore "No-Go" Zone > [4] Wiring Funds the Creative Way > [5] NewsBriefs > [6] Frequently Asked Questions > [7] Riches, Revolutions and Revelations > >================================================================ > [1] Welcome! >================================================================ > >Welcome to our first issue for September - and welcome to all >our new subscribers. > >The "big" story this week has been the news that the Microsoft >operating system has a "back door" which allows the US NSA to >potentially access your system and read your supposedly encryp- >ted email. This "key" is appropriately called the NSAKEY. > >Allegations and denials have been rapidly fired, but a few things >have emerged. Microsoft says this key was named such because the >NSA insisted that they include a backup key in their CryptoAPI >before the Commerce Department would approve its inclusion in >NT 4.0. > >The situation originates with the issue of "exporting" military >grade crypto tools overseas. In order to make its operating >system "exportable" in different circumstances - this "key" was >included to allow variables. > >The "Conspiracy" View is: >"The NSA has a signing key on your box. The NSA can implant a >Trojan to replace the module which performs encryption on your >box with one that doesn't perform encryption, and because the >failure of signature verification against Microsoft's key is >silent, they can get their trojan'd app up and running without >you being any the wiser. The NSA can then sniff your traffic, >now being conducted in plain-text." > >Microsoft's view is: >"We want to have one build of our products that simultaneously >supports weak or strong encryption functionality. We want to be >able to ship this one product world-wide, changing as few bits >as possible for those that are being shipped outside the U.S. >and Canada. We'll build an API (good, bad, or otherwise) that >allows the controlled bits to be inserted into an infrastructure, >then get the infrastructure approved, and all will be good." > >There's a bunch of links on this story, if you wish to follow it >up and come to your own conclusions: > >http://www.slashdot.org/articles/99/09/03/0940241.shtml >http://www.cnn.com/TECH/computing/9909/03/windows.nsa/ >http://www.cryptonym.com/hottopics/msft-nsa.html >http://www.wired.com/news/news/technology/story/21577.html >http://www.techweb.com/wire/story/TWB19990903S0014 > >Regardless of the truth of this matter, what it does show is that >the Internet community is capable of sniffing out news and getting >it out to the whole planet in a remarkably short period of time. >And this is perhaps the really good news - that the Internet is >a tool to thwart government inspired invasions of privacy - before >they can readily get off the ground. > >Meanwhile, enjoy this weeks issue in privacy - we hope! > >Kind regards > >Robert Smith >OPC International >http://offshoreprofit.com > >================================================================ > [2] Feedback >================================================================ > >As usual, we got some thoughtful feedback to last week's issue. >First up was a couple of comments on the Y2K article. One reader >has this to say: > >"Were you aware of the following article in the 'Australian >Financial Review' on 29 March 1999: > >'Dr K. Puts Money on Y2K Crash' >Dr Henry Kissinger is going to be cashed up this New Year's Eve. >The former US Secretary of State has told what the 'London Times' >called a 'high powered millennium meeting' in Washington that he >plans to withdraw all his money at the end of the year in case >the millennium bug affects the financial system. > >Two questions: >1. Where would you fit all Dr K's cash? >2. Of all people, why would he risk causing a run on the banks? >Unless he wanted to, of course. But why? The only reason I can >see is that the big guys want to force the world back on to a gold >standard. But to do so the Golden Rule would have to apply. That >is, 'he who has the gold rules.' We keep being told that the >central banks are selling gold. But we never get told who they >are selling to." > >COMMENT: >I can't speak for Dr Kissinger - but the question, "who is buying >the gold" is a very good one! > >Another reader had this observation: > >"Re your opinion in Y2K View #2, I have to wonder if you've fully >taken into account the domino effect of any computer or any >company going down from y2k. I usually ask people to consider it >this way. Suppose it takes 9 steps to get to my Chemist the drugs >upon which I rely to keep me alive (for me to purchase from him). >He says HE'S y2k compliant. Great, hey! Well, maybe not. It takes >just one - yes, one - of the "upline" 9 steps to crash, and you >can see what happens. The line is broken, the result is simple >and totally predictable - I DON'T GET MY DRUGS. Sure the other >8 steps, both before and after, were fine. Unfortunately the >domino effect means someone 20 steps down is as badly affected >as if HIS 'puters weren't ready for 1-1-2000 either." > >Referring to the article on the tax burden, a reader forwarded >these interesting links: > >"You might want to recommend to your readers the following great >links: > >http://www.mackinac.org - Mackinac public policy think-tank, which >is promoting the 'Right To Know Payroll Form' detailing the tax >burden. > >http://www.fraserinstitute.ca/ - Canadian Fraser Institute is one >of the think-tanks calculating the Tax Freedom Day, in the next >few days they should have the calculator online (so that you will >be able to calculate your own t.f. day) > >http://www.socialsecurity.org - CATO project on SS privatization >with great calculator of benefits with SS and various private >systems." > >And on the topic of "hidden taxes", another reader said this: > >"It should be clear that all taxes, in whatever form they come, >are always paid for by the consumer. It is a fiction to think that >businesses or even wage slaves are paying taxes, it only appears >so. The taxes they will have to pay are accounted for when the >wages or the price of the products are set (resulting in higher >prices/wages). In other words, they pass the taxes on to the next >link in the chain and thus it is ultimately the consumer who ends >up paying for all these taxes because he cannot pass them on to >someone else. > >This means that if you want to pay less tax, there is only one >way: spend more money in low or no tax countries and less in high >tax countries. Really, this is the only effective way (and >completely legal) to beat the tax hungry politicians. Now the >internet is making it very easy to implement this simple strategy. >The internet is making it possible for everybody to shop in a more >'tax-conscious' way. Buying from no or low tax countries means >you are putting less money in government hands." > >COMMENT: >I agree entirely - all tax ends up being paid by the consumer >(which is everybody). And the strategy suggested is certainly >interesting! > >On the matter of offshore funds, a reader ask us this: > >"Is it possible to get more information about the top ten funds >which you featured in your most recent OPS Report? Is there a >source for obtaining the contact names, addresses and/or phone >numbers for these funds? > >Good question. The figures were quoted from Micropal - an info >service that provides such updated figures. However, the real >question is how do you access these. And the answer is "with >difficulty". As has been stated before in this newsletter, >residents of the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the UK >are restricted from most of the world's best performing offshore >funds. For more on this subject, see article in this issue. > >Finally, commenting on another reader's recommendation, regarding >using http://www.lpwa.com as a free, proxy server, a reader >has this advice: > >"This alarmed me very much. You see, from what I understand, that >particular proxy server is managed by Lucent Technologies who have >ties to and have worked with and for various intelligence agencies. >What better way for Big Brother to track those who do not want to >be tracked. There are other free proxy servers available. One of >these is called Anonymizer http://www.anonymizer.com and is managed >by a man who is reported to have a proven track-record of supporting >privacy." > >COMMENT: >Conspiracies abound! However, according to another source, you >can do even better than Anonymizer - with a free (and very fast) >service from: http://www.proxymate.com. > >================================================================ > [3] Investing in the Offshore "No-Go" Zone >================================================================ > >There is a lot of interest in offshore investing - and it's no >surprise. Who would really be tempted by an "onshore" savings >account offering say 4% (gross before income tax), when you can >easily do a lot better offshore - tax free too? > >Of course, you are not limited to bank accounts - you can invest >in mutual funds or directly into the stockmarket yourself. > >What most people don't realize, however, is the vast array of >offshore funds available - offering considerably higher returns - >but which are not available (and not allowed to be promoted) in >the major developed nations of the world - including all of North >America. > >Such investment opportunities are controlled by the Securities >laws in various countries - like here in the USA, the SEC is BB's >agent on the ground. The SEC's function is to say which funds >are "approved" for domestic consumption and which ones aren't. > >Usually, such control is administered for the "good" of the >investing public. That's how you get "registered" securities - >registered with the SEC. And it's also the reason why unregistered >securities are forbidden from being advertised. It's the old story >of the government knowing what is best for you all over again. > >And as an example of the sort of investments your government (if >you live in the USA, Canada, UK, Australia or New Zealand) thinks >are not suitable - take a look at the following list: > >* Soros Fund Management >* Bankers Trust >* Credit Suisse >* Schroders >* Morgan Stanley >* Jardine Fleming >* Barclays > >I'm sure you'll agree - there are a lot of "shoddy" names in >that list! The sort of names I'm sure you wouldn't want to >associate with! (Joking of course!) > >So, how do you go about investing in such "prohibited" funds? >If you try to simply contact them - the most likely response >(after noting your address) will be a polite refusal, stating >something like, "sorry, we are unable to accept funds from your >country, due to government regulations". > >Many of these funds cannot be accessed directly - but only through >the appropriate brokerage. However, they operate on the same rules >and are only too aware of the restrictions imposed by various >governments. > >This is where having your own IBC structure can come into its >own. An IBC (International Business Corporation) is not just a >vehicle for conducting "international business", but for investing >internationally as well. > >With an IBC in a suitable offshore jurisdiction, you will not >only have the right legal structure (a legal entity in a place >other than your "restricted" home country), but a registered >office address from which to conduct business. In most cases, the >easiest way is to open an associated offshore brokerage account, >from which you can now make the desired investments. > >Remember, an IBC gives you an alternate legal identity - one in >another country - a country NOT on the "forbidden" list. > >For more information on suitable offshore structures go to: >http://offshoreprofit.com/offshore.html > >================================================================ > [4] Wiring Funds the Creative Way >================================================================ > >Suppose you want to invest offshore - and you want to get funds >into your offshore Corporate account. And suppose you also want >to do this without leaving a paper trail. > >Wiring money is still one of the most efficient ways of moving >the stuff - however, you may want to set up a couple of "privacy" >steps along the way. > >The best way to do this is to use what is called a "transit" >account. This is simply an account through which your money >passes through - on its way to the final destination. This type >of account should be in a jurisdiction with good bank secrecy. > >Such an account would usually be in a different name from your >own - perhaps that of a corporation. So, when you instruct your >bank to wire funds, the money moves first to one or more of such >PT (passthrough) accounts, which have instructions to move the >funds on to another predetermined account. > >If you want to completely break the "paper trail", then you can >wire funds to your passthrough account - go there yourself and >withdraw the funds in cash - then go to a completely different >bank and arrange (with the cash in hand) another wire transfer >to your final destination bank account. > >There many such ways to keep you financial affairs private. > >================================================================ > [5] NewsBriefs >================================================================ > >FCC Grants FBI Surveillance Standards Request >http://www.epic.org/alert > >"In a decision released on August 31, the Federal Communications >Commission (FCC) largely adopted technical standards proposed by >the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) that would redesign the >nation's telecommunications networks to facilitate electronic >surveillance. The ruling could result in a significant increase >in government interception of digital communications. Included >is a requirement that cellular telephone networks must provide >police the ability to track the physical location of cell phone >users." > >---------------------------------------------------------------- > >The FBI wants to read your email >John Borland - Staff Writer, CNET News.com > >"Following the passage of new wiretap rules for wireless phones >and other digital networks, Washington policy makers are gearing >up for a fight over the privacy of email and other personal >computer files. > >Last week, the FBI won a small victory from federal regulators >that will allow it to listen in on conversations and track the >location of wireless phone users, as long as the agency first >gets a court order. > >But law enforcement officials say this is only half the battle. >The FBI is now looking for new powers to break through security >software that renders email and other Internet communications >incoherent when traveling along a digital network. Even if the >agency has the power to tap digital communications, it still can't >read or understand the messages sent if they are protected by >security software." > >COMMENT: >The above two newsbriefs are common grist for the mill now. Not >one week passes without some other proposed legislation designed >to "stop crime" - and reduce our privacy. Without wanting to >repeat myself unduly, it must be emphasized that ALL such proposals >only have one real goal - to control people by removing all >privacy. The good news is that we have "hackers" on our side - >those anarchic individuals who work tirelessly to create the means >to side-step Big Brother's ongoing attempts to imprison us! > >---------------------------------------------------------------- > >Atlas Shrugs - on Video Game > >There is a project underway to create an interactive video game >based on "Atlas Shrugged". They are looking for investors as well >as people interested in working on the game. > >http://www.colemancreative.com/atlas/news.html > >I had a look at the website - and it's fascinating. I'm almost >willing to bet that this could be a real winner - for all the >reasons outlined on the website above. > >PS: For those of you who haven't read "Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand, >it's the story of a man who persuades all the productive people >in the world to "disappear" - to withdraw their support from the >system that bleeds them. The end result, with a huge story in >between, is the collapse of the system. It's simply a must read >for anyone concerned with the state of the world and understanding >the philosophical foundations of statist thinking. > >---------------------------------------------------------------- > >http://www.wired.com/news/news/business/story/21490.html >Hotmail Accounts Still Exposed >by Declan McCullagh and by James Glave > >"No sooner was one catastrophic security flaw closed Monday -- one >that exposed millions of Hotmail accounts to prying eyes -- when >another one appeared. The net result: As of 2 p.m. PDT, Hotmail >account holders remain in jeopardy of having their email messages >read, as well as being impersonated in email..." > >COMMENT: >And apparently, this sort of thing is not only increasingly >possible - but likely! > >See: http://www.wired.com/news/news/politics/story/21498.html > >And also: http://cnn.com/TECH/computing/9908/30/hotmail.06/ > >---------------------------------------------------------------- > >Conspiracy Theory Vindicated > >"If someone had suggested six years ago that the FBI was lying >when it denied firing incendiary devices into the Branch Davidian >compound, defenders of the government would have cried, "Conspiracy >theorist!" It may have taken six years to unravel, but no one can >now deny that there was a conspiracy within the Justice Department >to lie and cover up the government's misconduct at Waco. The >question arises: Would Timothy McVeigh have bombed the Oklahoma >City federal building if the federal wrongdoers had been punished? >Are Justice Department hands covered with the blood of both Waco >and Oklahoma City victims?" > >Jacob G. Hornberger, president, The Future of Freedom Foundation >http://www.fff.org > >---------------------------------------------------------------- > >Windows/Y2K Hoax > >It appears there's a hoax going around concerning the Win95/98 >operating system - and its compliance with Y2K. A typical version >goes like this: "Every copy of Windows will fail on January 1, >2000, unless you fix it now" > >You're then told how to fix this problem - by changing various >settings. However, these settings are display settings only, and >are not part of any operating function. > >For more info go to: http://www.microsoft.com/y2k/hoax/y2khoax.htm > >---------------------------------------------------------------- > >IMF Study Probes Russian Use Of Offshore Units > >NEW YORK, Aug 30, 1999 -- (Reuters) >"A PricewaterhouseCoopers study for the International Monetary >Fund looking at how Russia's central bank may have used offshore >units to 'manipulate' funds in violation of IMF requirements is >expected by late September, the Wall Street Journal reported in >Monday's online edition. > >The paper said the study is separate from a probe into a possible >multi-billion dollar money-laundering scheme that may have >included the diversion of $200 million in IMF funds by Russian >mobsters." > >COMMENT: >It appears that the Mafia has become serious competition for the >government in the ex-Soviet Union. This is not surprising to >anyone who has read "The Sovereign Individual" - where organized >crime is predicted to rise exponentially. What is interesting >though, is how much this "crime" is based on such things as >drugs, pornography and weapons - things that are increasingly >prohibited by governments. That which is prohibited goes >"underground" - and gets run by the sort of businesses that don't >mind flouting the law - the Mafia! They're just in business after >all - the sort of business that is illegal, and therefore far >more profitable! > >================================================================ > [6] Frequently Asked Questions >================================================================ > >"I'm considering opening up an offshore bank account and I've >heard a lot of nasty rumors about how it takes several months for >the funds drawn from American checks to become available. Is this >standard business procedure for foreign bank accounts?" > >It is important to realize that the clearance of checks through >offshore banks does take a lot longer than through a domestic >bank (where it can still take far too long). Such clearance also >involves extra charges. > >If you understand the process, you'll understand the reason. >When you send a domestic bank check to your offshore account >for clearance, the bank has to represent that same check for >redemption to the issuing bank (onshore). This involves posting >checks back and forth. > >In most cases you should allow up to a month for such a check >to clear - although some banks will offer a faster service, for >an increased fee. However, there appears to be no justification >for the time taken as mentioned in the question above. > >================================================================ > [7] Riches, Revolutions and Revelations >================================================================ > >On September 15th, OPC International will be celebrating its >second anniversary of going online. In a matter of 24 months >we have changed the way people shop for offshore services - and >are now one of the world's most successful 100% Internet based >offshore services provider! Offshore experts all over the world >recognize us as being at the forefront of educating the public >about privacy, freedom and offshore related strategies. > >"While Big Brother is raging, our Friends and Clients are >cheering... and that's exactly the way it should be!" > >Naturally, we are often asked for the secrets of our success. >While there are many different ingredients, probably one of >the most important ones is... > > >ONLINE MARKETING! > >Without marketing our site would still be floating around in >Cyberspace with noone knowing about it. While we depend on >enthusiastic word-of-mouth recommendations by our friends and >clients, we have also developed a powerful online marketing >strategy that attracts new visitors like a magnet! > >How did we do it? Many of our secrets were developed through >trial and error, others through extensive study of online >marketing books and courses. > >Now, did you know that two single books have contributed more >to the OPC's marketing success than all other books combined - >and that the names of these books are Make Your Site Sell by >Ken Evoy, and the Internet Marketing Course by Cory Rudl? > > >* Make Your Site Sell > >You certainly know all those Internet marketing courses that >cost $200 and up, and are not worth the paper they are printed >on. Make Your Site Sell costs only $16.95 ... and is worth >every penny! This book will show you how to build your online >business empire from scratch. > >The greatest benefit is that you can download this book RIGHT >NOW and read it on your computer - no need to wait for >shipments in the mail! > >We Made Our Site Sell. You Can Do The Same! >http://www.sitesell.com/wealthsecrets.html > > >* Internet Marketing Course > >Learn from the best of the best. The author of this site, Corey >Rudl gets over 2 million visitors to his websites yearly, does >2.6 million dollars in sales online each year, and personally >makes hundreds of thousands of dollars from his online business- >es... all from his one small office. So listen to what he has >to say as he knows what he is talking about when it comes to >starting and promoting a business on the Internet. He reveals >all his unconventional tips, trick and techniques with examples >so you can learn most efficient and fastest way to make money >on the Internet. > >And it works! We have applied the same strategies to turn OPC >International into a tremendously successful business. Click >the link below, we highly recommend it. > >Marketing Tips From A Marketing Expert >http://www.marketingtips.com/t.cgi/24778/ > >If you were to buy only two books about online marketing, you'd >be well advised to get these two. > >You'll be excited - I'll guarantee it! > >Robert Smith > >================================================================ > >"The government's ultimate objective is to achieve control over >every business and every individual. Violating your privacy (not >just in financial, but in all matters) is a necessary preliminary >step. Big Brother is much closer to achieving his dream of >controlling all property than most people think." > >WG Hill - Banking in Silence > >================================================================ > See you next week! Please spread the message and forward this > newsletter in its entirety to related mailing lists, friends, > associates, and Webmasters. !! THANK YOU !! >================================================================ > To subscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] > with the following subject: subscribe opsecrets > - - - - - > To unsubscribe, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] > with the following subject: unsubscribe opsecrets >================================================================ > True Freedom CAN be yours at http://offshoreprofit.com > Copyright 1999, OPC International, Inc. >================================================================ > >
