Jho Low is living on the lam as the U.S. prepares criminal charges against the alleged mastermind of the 1MDB money-laundering scandal. A new report reveals details of his recent months.
Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low, has hardly been spotted since the billion-dollar graft scandal surrounding 1MBD broke.
«The Wall Street Journal» (behind paywall) tracked his movements in recent months, as the U.S. ratchets up the pressure with criminal charges being prepared.
Holed Up in China, Thailand
The paper has him holed up in alternatively Thailand and China, including at The Peninsula in Shanghai, where a member of staff described him as a long-term resident.
Low hastily tried to sell a Claude Monet painting for nearly 27 million euros shortly before his assets were seized by U.S. prosecutors – unsuccessfully, the newspaper reports.
Low appears to have some funds available to him, even if the jig is up with Swiss banks: he paid roughly $20,000 in marina fees for Equanimity, his megayacht, in Phuket last year.
Consolation from Marc Rich
Two unexpected sources of comfort during his life on the run? Trite sailing metaphors and an authorized biography of Marc Rich, the commodities billionaire who died a U.S. fugitive in Switzerland.
In a New Years message to friends, Low sounded defiant.
«2016 was the Perfect Storm; but the calmness and resolve of our Captain, led his loyal Sailors whom placed their lives with utmost trust in his leadership weathered the storm,» the newspaper quoted.
Darker Reality
The reality is altogether darker: Low is avoiding his native Malaysia because officials there have warned him to steer clear. He is also keeping away from the U.S., which is understood to be preparing criminal charges over wire fraud and money-laundering against the erstwhile financier.
Singapore, where Low once had banks do his bidding, is also understood to be building what could be a criminal case. The city state recently hosted U.S. justice officials to investigate 1MDB and conduct interviews.
Recent court proceedings in New Zealand revealed that U.S. officials are trying to get their hands on more of the assets Low allegedly bought with 1MDB money, including a Paris luxury apartment and a London penthouse with a view of Buckingham Palace.
