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Jho Low

The US Department of Justice alleges US$4.5 billion was siphoned from the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) state investment fund between 2009 and 2014, and Malaysian financier Jho Low has been accused of masterminding the fraud. He is wanted in several countries despite denying all wrongdoing. The Malaysian government has sought his return to Malaysia to face charges but his whereabouts are unknown, although he has been widely speculated to be in China. Funds from 1MDB were allegedly used to buy assets and real estate for Low and his associates, including a private jet, a luxury yacht, artwork by Pablo Picasso and Claude Monet, and diamond jewellery. Some of the funds were used to finance Hollywood films such as The Wolf of Wall Street.

Born

4 Nov 1981

Industry

Business, Crime

Job Title

Fugitive businessman

Former Goldman Sachs banker Tim Leissner arrives at a court in New York last year. Photo: AFP

Malaysia

1MDB convict and ex-Goldman banker Leissner seeks pardon from Trump

The German citizen is scheduled to begin serving his two-year jail term at a facility in Southern California early next month.

23 Jan 2026 - 10:04AMvideocam

Malaysia

Malaysia’s Najib sentenced to 15 years in jail for abuse of power in 1MDB saga

26 Dec 2025 - 11:31PMvideocam

Malaysia

With 1MDB verdict due, will Malaysia’s Najib have to ‘prepare for the worst’?

25 Dec 2025 - 7:15PM

Malaysia 1MDB scandal

Malaysia to get back US$30 million worth of fine art linked to 1MDB scandal

The 12 artworks, including pieces by Picasso and Matisse, were bought by a former lawyer for the state investment fund.

15 Dec 2025 - 2:33PM

The works are being held by Christie’s and Sotheby’s auction houses in the United States. Photo: Shutterstock

Malaysia 1MDB scandal

Fugitive Jho Low’s sister and associate ordered to pay US$2.8 billion to 1MDB

The judge noted that May Lin and associate Eric Tan failed to appear in court, resulting in a massive default judgment in the ongoing 1MDB suit.

25 Nov 2025 - 5:29PMvideocam

Crime

Fugees rapper jailed for 14 years over illegal donations to Obama campaign

Grammy-winner was convicted on 10 counts, including conspiracy and acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government.

21 Nov 2025 - 4:28PM

Malaysia 1MDB scandal

Singapore court rejects 1MDB-linked suit against Standard Chartered, BSI

The judge dismissed the liquidators’ suit as the alleged transactions happened before Singapore’s cross-border insolvency law took effect.

1 Oct 2025 - 1:54PMvideocam

Malaysia

Malaysia says no evidence of Jho Low living in China with fake passport

Malaysia’s home minister says the government is working with international authorities to catch the 1MDB fugitive.

24 Jul 2025 - 2:49PMvideocam

Malaysia 1MDB scandal

Is 1MDB fugitive Jho Low in China? Malaysian PM vows to investigate new claims

Malaysia’s PM said he would look into fresh claims that 1MDB fugitive Jho Low is living in Shanghai and using a forged Australian passport.

19 Jul 2025 - 10:47PMvideocam

Singapore

Standard Chartered in Singapore faces US$2.7 billion lawsuit linked to 1MDB

Malaysian liquidators are suing Standard Chartered in Singapore, claiming the bank ignored red flags and suspicious transfers, a claim the bank strongly denies.

1 Jul 2025 - 5:41PMvideocam

Malaysia

US$900 million seized as China helps Malaysia dismantle Tedy Teow’s scam empire

MBI Group’s Malaysian founder has been called ‘Jho Lo 2’ because of the sheer scale of his operation.

11 Jun 2025 - 5:49PMvideocam

Tedy Teow being extradited to China on August 20, last year. Photo: Ministry of Public Security

Malaysia 1MDB scandal

Ex-Goldman banker Leissner gets 2 years in 1MDB fraud case

The German citizen had hoped to avoid prison for helping to loot the Malaysian investment fund by cooperating with prosecutors.

30 May 2025 - 2:01AMvideocam

Malaysia 1MDB scandal

Chasing Jho Low: blockchain bounty breathes new life into hunt for 1MDB fugitive

Can a memecoin help uncover Jho Low’s whereabouts? New evidence is surfacing about the scandal, thanks to a crypto reward system.

30 Mar 2025 - 10:00AM

Malaysia 1MDB scandal

Explainer | Why is Malaysia’s 1MDB scandal still casting a long shadow over its economy?

About 70 per cent of the US$10 billion funds pilfered from the sovereign wealth fund have been recovered, Malaysia’s MACC says.

18 Mar 2025 - 3:58PMvideocam

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak gestures as he leaves the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) office in Putrajaya in 2018. Photo: AP

Art

Mark Rothko painting goes for 30% less than in 2015 in Hong Kong sale

Untitled (Yellow and Blue) by Mark Rothko, once owned by fugitive Malaysian financier Jho Low, fetches US$33 million at Sotheby’s auction.

12 Nov 2024 - 10:37AM

Mark Rothko’s 1954 painting Untitled (Yellow and Blue) is displayed at Sotheby’s Maison in Hong Kong ahead of its auction on November 11, 2024. Photo: Sotheby’s

Malaysia

Malaysian ex-PM Najib fails to end 5-year trial over 1MDB scandal

Court orders former leader to enter a defence over allegations that he took more than US$500 million in bribes linked to state fund 1MDB.

30 Oct 2024 - 4:35PMvideocam

Malaysia

Malaysians left incredulous by apology from disgraced ex-PM Najib

Malaysians slam ‘disingenuous apology’ for 1MDB scandal, scoff at former leader’s claim he was misled by associates.

25 Oct 2024 - 5:25PMvideocam

Malaysia

Najib apologises, without accepting full blame, for Malaysia’s 1MDB scandal

The jailed former prime minister’s partial apology comes as the government considers sentencing reforms that may enable his early release.

24 Oct 2024 - 8:25PMvideocam

Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak speaks to supporters outside the Court of Appeal in Putrajaya, Malaysia on August 23, 2022. Photo: AP

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong to host auction of Mark Rothko piece once owned by fugitive Jho Low

Sotheby’s says sale of Untitled (Yellow and Blue) represents Asia’s first auction of late artist’s major work.

25 Sep 2024 - 10:50PM

Malaysia 1MDB scandal

Kim Kardashian, Pharrell got US$2.4 million of 1MDB funds via Jho Low: court

A Malaysian court heard that US$2.4 million from 1MDB was transferred to Kim Kardashian and Pharrell Williams via Jho Low’s shell company.

10 Sep 2024 - 10:27AMvideocam

Malaysia 1MDB scandal

Swiss court jails 1MDB fraudsters over US$1.8 billion theft from Malaysian fund

The court emphasised the severity of the crimes, citing the high amounts of money involved and the defendants’ selfish motives.

2 Sep 2024 - 10:05AM

Patrick Mahony (left) and Tarek Obaid (right) arrive at the Swiss Federal Criminal Court in Bellinzona last week. Photo: AFP

Malaysia

How Tedy Teow, the fraudster dubbed ‘Jho Low 2’, allegedly swindled millions

Teow’s MBI Group duped thousands with fake high-return investments, leading to his extradition to China on massive fraud charges.

30 Aug 2024 - 12:58AMvideocam

China has extradited from Thailand Tedy Teow, a Malaysian fugitive businessman accused of leading a fraud syndicate in a case involving more than 100 billion yuan (US$14 billion). Photo: CCTV

Malaysia 1MDB scandal

Swiss court convicts PetroSaudi executives over US$1.8 billion 1MDB scandal

The verdict marks the latest development in the complex international corruption scandal.

2 Sep 2024 - 9:59AMvideocam

Malaysia 1MDB scandal

US judge orders Jho Low to surrender mother’s US$1.8 million in diamonds

The 1MDB fugitive was ordered to forfeit a trio of ‘flawless’ diamonds he bought for his mother from Beyoncé and Adele’s jeweller.

23 Jul 2024 - 8:32AMvideocam

Singapore

Singapore refuses to give up pursuit of 1MDB fugitive mastermind Jho Low

A deal with the US Justice Department to settle civil actions against Low ‘has no bearing’ on Singapore’s investigation, police say.

17 Jul 2024 - 2:11PM

Jho Low pictured in 2015. An Interpol Red Notice seeking his provisional arrest remains in effect. Photo: Sam Tsang

Malaysia

Jho Low, US reach confidential deal to try to ‘forever’ resolve 1MDB-linked case

The confidential agreement, which has yet to be publicly disclosed, is tied to the announcement on Wednesday by the DOJ that it is to recover an additional US$100 million in resolving two civil forfeiture cases.

28 Jun 2024 - 5:15PMvideocam

Fugitive financier Jho Low has signed a secret deal with the US DOJ to “forever” end a 1MDB-linked forfeiture case, according to CNA. Photo: SCMP

Malaysia 1MDB scandal

Jho Low to forfeit Warhol, Monet art in US$100 million 1MDB settlement with US

The fugitive financier will also give up a luxury Paris flat and real estate and bank accounts in Hong Kong, Singapore and Switzerland.

28 Jun 2024 - 4:27PMvideocam

Malaysia

US returns US$156 million in looted 1MDB funds to Malaysia

The latest tranche is the fourth made by Washington, raising the total amount repatriated to the Southeast Asian nation to around US$1.4 billion.

14 Jun 2024 - 12:10PMvideocam

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Jho Low

1MDB convict and ex-Goldman banker Leissner seeks pardon from Trump

The German citizen is scheduled to begin serving his two-year jail term at a facility in Southern California early next month.

Malaysia’s Najib sentenced to 15 years in jail for abuse of power in 1MDB saga

With 1MDB verdict due, will Malaysia’s Najib have to ‘prepare for the worst’?

Malaysia to get back US$30 million worth of fine art linked to 1MDB scandal

The 12 artworks, including pieces by Picasso and Matisse, were bought by a former lawyer for the state investment fund.

Fugitive Jho Low’s sister and associate ordered to pay US$2.8 billion to 1MDB

The judge noted that May Lin and associate Eric Tan failed to appear in court, resulting in a massive default judgment in the ongoing 1MDB suit.

Fugees rapper jailed for 14 years over illegal donations to Obama campaign

Grammy-winner was convicted on 10 counts, including conspiracy and acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government.

Singapore court rejects 1MDB-linked suit against Standard Chartered, BSI

The judge dismissed the liquidators’ suit as the alleged transactions happened before Singapore’s cross-border insolvency law took effect.

Malaysia says no evidence of Jho Low living in China with fake passport

Malaysia’s home minister says the government is working with international authorities to catch the 1MDB fugitive.

Is 1MDB fugitive Jho Low in China? Malaysian PM vows to investigate new claims

Malaysia’s PM said he would look into fresh claims that 1MDB fugitive Jho Low is living in Shanghai and using a forged Australian passport.

Standard Chartered in Singapore faces US$2.7 billion lawsuit linked to 1MDB

Malaysian liquidators are suing Standard Chartered in Singapore, claiming the bank ignored red flags and suspicious transfers, a claim the bank strongly denies.

US$900 million seized as China helps Malaysia dismantle Tedy Teow’s scam empire

MBI Group’s Malaysian founder has been called ‘Jho Lo 2’ because of the sheer scale of his operation.

Ex-Goldman banker Leissner gets 2 years in 1MDB fraud case

The German citizen had hoped to avoid prison for helping to loot the Malaysian investment fund by cooperating with prosecutors.

Chasing Jho Low: blockchain bounty breathes new life into hunt for 1MDB fugitive

Can a memecoin help uncover Jho Low’s whereabouts? New evidence is surfacing about the scandal, thanks to a crypto reward system.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Explainer | Why is Malaysia’s 1MDB scandal still casting a long shadow over its economy?

About 70 per cent of the US$10 billion funds pilfered from the sovereign wealth fund have been recovered, Malaysia’s MACC says.

Mark Rothko painting goes for 30% less than in 2015 in Hong Kong sale

Untitled (Yellow and Blue) by Mark Rothko, once owned by fugitive Malaysian financier Jho Low, fetches US$33 million at Sotheby’s auction.

Malaysian ex-PM Najib fails to end 5-year trial over 1MDB scandal

Court orders former leader to enter a defence over allegations that he took more than US$500 million in bribes linked to state fund 1MDB.

Malaysians left incredulous by apology from disgraced ex-PM Najib

Malaysians slam ‘disingenuous apology’ for 1MDB scandal, scoff at former leader’s claim he was misled by associates.

Najib apologises, without accepting full blame, for Malaysia’s 1MDB scandal

The jailed former prime minister’s partial apology comes as the government considers sentencing reforms that may enable his early release.

Hong Kong to host auction of Mark Rothko piece once owned by fugitive Jho Low

Sotheby’s says sale of Untitled (Yellow and Blue) represents Asia’s first auction of late artist’s major work.

Kim Kardashian, Pharrell got US$2.4 million of 1MDB funds via Jho Low: court

A Malaysian court heard that US$2.4 million from 1MDB was transferred to Kim Kardashian and Pharrell Williams via Jho Low’s shell company.

Swiss court jails 1MDB fraudsters over US$1.8 billion theft from Malaysian fund

The court emphasised the severity of the crimes, citing the high amounts of money involved and the defendants’ selfish motives.

How Tedy Teow, the fraudster dubbed ‘Jho Low 2’, allegedly swindled millions

Teow’s MBI Group duped thousands with fake high-return investments, leading to his extradition to China on massive fraud charges.

Swiss court convicts PetroSaudi executives over US$1.8 billion 1MDB scandal

The verdict marks the latest development in the complex international corruption scandal.

US judge orders Jho Low to surrender mother’s US$1.8 million in diamonds

The 1MDB fugitive was ordered to forfeit a trio of ‘flawless’ diamonds he bought for his mother from Beyoncé and Adele’s jeweller.

Singapore refuses to give up pursuit of 1MDB fugitive mastermind Jho Low

A deal with the US Justice Department to settle civil actions against Low ‘has no bearing’ on Singapore’s investigation, police say.

Jho Low, US reach confidential deal to try to ‘forever’ resolve 1MDB-linked case

The confidential agreement, which has yet to be publicly disclosed, is tied to the announcement on Wednesday by the DOJ that it is to recover an additional US$100 million in resolving two civil forfeiture cases.

Jho Low to forfeit Warhol, Monet art in US$100 million 1MDB settlement with US

The fugitive financier will also give up a luxury Paris flat and real estate and bank accounts in Hong Kong, Singapore and Switzerland.

US returns US$156 million in looted 1MDB funds to Malaysia

The latest tranche is the fourth made by Washington, raising the total amount repatriated to the Southeast Asian nation to around US$1.4 billion.

Explainer | Why is Malaysia’s 1MDB scandal still casting a long shadow over its economy?