US tops ranking of real estate destinations for dirty money

June 23, 2026 - 07:20

The United States has been named the world's top destination for laundering illicit funds through real estate, according to the latest update to the Financial Secrecy Index released today. The country received the worst possible score on the index's real estate ownership indicator, a result of weak or non-existent transparency laws. Close behind the US in the rankings are Canada and Mexico, both of which will co-host the upcoming World Cup alongside the US.

The index highlights how easy it is for criminals and corrupt officials to hide money by purchasing property in these nations. In the US, shell companies and anonymous trusts can often buy high-value homes and commercial buildings without revealing the true owner. This lack of oversight makes the American real estate market a prime target for hiding dirty money, far outpacing other countries that have stricter reporting requirements. Experts say the problem is particularly severe in major cities like New York, Miami, and Los Angeles, where luxury properties are frequently bought through opaque financial structures. The report calls for urgent reforms, including mandatory disclosure of beneficial ownership for all property purchases, to close the loopholes that allow this flow of illicit cash.