International Private Client

• Western enforcement agencies like the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) increasingly pursue Ultra-High-Net-Worth Individuals (UHNWIs) with cross-border investigations throughout Africa.
• These investigations threaten the UHNWIs' liberty, assets, and reputation and are often initiated solely based on allegations made in the media by adversaries.
• The increased focus of the U.S. DOJ and the aggressive tools at its disposal can put individuals and companies operating throughout Africa at risk of global asset freezes, seizures, and/or other penalties.

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• Recent political unrest in Latin America poses increased risks for global investors with deep financial ties to the region. Attempted coups and disputed elections have increased investor concerns over potential disruption to companies' onshore operations. 
• Rapid changes in political regimes affecting relationships with local governments or adverse actions taken against key local business partners may cause business challenges. 
• Extractive industries such as lithium mining and oil and gas face significant exposure to these geopolitical events. 

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• The creation and proliferation of inaccurate information are among the most potent threats facing ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWI) navigating disputes.
• This misinformation can corrode and obscure the truth, risking a person’s reputation, lawfully held assets, and freedom to move across borders.
• When facing these types of risks, UHNWIs and their advisors should contemplate proactive steps to protect their legitimate business interests.

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• Sanctions against Russia have increasingly targeted the global shipping and maritime industry as the U.S., UK, EU, and other allied governments seek to enforce its crude oil price cap more aggressively.
• With Russian crude exports on the rise, individuals and businesses with ties to the global shipping and maritime industry – particularly Greek and Cyprus-based companies – could find themselves exposed to the widening sphere of Western sanctions.
• We explain how individuals and businesses with ties to the Cypriot shipping industry and their advisors may be able to mitigate potential risks.

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• Ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) operating outside the United States have recently come under increasingly aggressive scrutiny from U.S regulators, including the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), and international cooperation agencies such as INTERPOL.
• If an UHNWI is not adequately prepared, these accusations could potentially spiral into global asset freezes and seizures.
• Below, our team discusses pre-emptive measures these potential targets can take to mitigate associated risks.

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• Relations between China and the U.S. will likely remain tense for the foreseeable future, as evidenced by the recent U.S. law mandating TikTok be divested or face a ban.
• Companies and individuals with perceived Chinese associations – including in Greater China, Southeast Asia and the wider region – could be at risk of invasive and politically motivated government enforcement actions.
• Those at risk can take several proactive steps to protect their assets, reputation and liberty.

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• Bad-faith opponents often use elaborate mechanisms to publicly discredit high-net-worth individuals.
• Misinformation can spread across borders rapidly, resulting in reputational harm across borders and languages.
• HNWIs in contentious situations should take a robust and active approach with a carefully calibrated mix of legal and communications interventions.

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• New rules proposed by the U.S. Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) would extend U.S. anti-money laundering program requirements to investment advisors.
• This could become the latest move by U.S. authorities to scrutinize the assets and transactions of ultra-high-net-worth individuals, including those outside the U.S.
• At-risk individuals and their advisors should take proactive steps to protect their legitimate interests.

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• The United States and its allies continue to use sanctions to attack adversarial governments and their perceived allies, putting companies and individuals with tenuous or merely alleged ties at risk.
• Recent sanctions have targeted Russia, but PRC companies were designated in the February 2024 round, signaling increasing risk to PRC individuals and business if China-U.S. relations deteriorate.
• At-risk individuals and business should take proactive steps to prepare.

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