U.S. officials believe Low Taek Jho masterminded the opaque trail of billions of dollars out of 1MDB and into private coffers. Now Interpol is on the trail of the Malaysian financier.
Malaysia has asked Interpol to try to locate Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho, also known as Jho Low, for questioning over his suspected involvement in a multi-billion dollar scandal at state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad, or 1MDB.
While Low, whose whereabouts are unknown, has not been charged with any crime, U.S. authorities have said they are pursuing a criminal probe into 1MDB-linked transactions. Low remains a key person of interest to Singapore authorities.
Banks Shuttered
The U.S. investigation is one part of a global effort that also includes Switzerland, Singapore and Luxembourg as they try to track how much of the $6 billion that 1MDB raised for development projects was embezzled or laundered.
Singapore's regulator has been the most proactive so far, going after both local and international banks as well as jailing and banning for life, bankers with ties to the tainted fund.
Case Closed in Malaysia
There have been reports that Low, has been traveling on a Caribbean country passport and that his yacht, the 90-plus-meter Equinimity, was spotted near Koh Rong, a Cambodian island.
«We are confident that Interpol will act professionally however, PDRM (police) has not received any detailed information from Interpol,» said Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. In August last year, Bank Negara Malaysia raised eyebrows after completing all investigations into 1MDB and closing the case.
