How Safe Is Offshore Investing?

Popular offshore countries such as the Bahamas, Bermuda, Cayman Islands and Isle of Man are known to offer fairly secure investment opportunities. More than half of the world's assets and investments are held in offshore jurisdictions and many well-recognized companies have investment opportunities in offshore locales. Still, like every investment you make, use common sense and choose a reputable investment firm. It is also a good idea to consult with an experienced and reputable investment advisor, accountant, and lawyer who specializes in international investment. If you are looking to protect your assets, or are concerned with estate planning or business succession, it would be prudent to find an attorney (or a team of attorneys) specializing in asset protection, wills or business succession. Of course, these professionals come at a cost. In most cases the benefits of offshore investing are outweighed by the tremendous costs of professional fees, commissions, travel expenses and downside risk. (For more information, see Investment Scams: Prime Banks.)

Conclusion
We are not lawyers, tax accountants or offshore investment experts in any country. Every individual’s situation is different. Offshore investment is beyond the means of most investors, and above the risk tolerance of others.

Despite the many pitfalls of offshore investing, it can still pay off to shift some investment assets from one jurisdiction to another. As with even the most insignificant investment, do your research before parting with your money - unless you’re prepared to lose it.