Quote from LaSalle:
Since 911 the Feds, at least in the U.S., have cracked down on the off-shore ATM tax evasion scheme.
The computers are set to red flag consistent withdrawls from US-based ATMs originating from notorious off shore tax havens.
Here's the where the Feds are devious little MF'ers. They'll wait until one of two situations transpire before taking you down: you've made a small fortune; you've lost it all and are broke and homeless.
I completely agree with you. The IRS is not stupid.
The HKstory is theoretically maybe correct but what most people forget is that they don't live in HK but somewhere else. And it's the legislation at "somewhereelse" that is important. They will decide what is acceptable and what isn't.
Many people have read books about offshores but only very few have real experience with it. And believe me, reality is totally different from the fairy tales in the books. My knowledge comes from reality, not from reading. I had BVI companies years ago.
At this moment the only undisputable solution is to move to a low tax area and live there effectively. All the rest is risky business.