Bringing 'Achilles' to heel: Portal claims Jho Low in China under fake Aussie passport, Greek alias

The Star

6 days ago

KUALA LUMPUR: Fugitive Malaysian financier Jho Low, the alleged mastermind behind the multibillion-ringgit 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal, is reportedly living in China using a forged Australian passport under a Greek alias, according to investigative outlet Brazen.
He is said to be using the name "Constantinos Achilles Veis" on the fraudulent passport.
The publication, co-founded by former Wall Street Journal reporters Bradley Hope and Tom Wright, who were pivotal in uncovering the 1MDB corruption network, claims Low is residing in a luxury neighbourhood in Shanghai.
Responding to the report, Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) issued a statement warning that passport fraud is a serious offence under Australian law.
'The Australian Passport Office specialist investigators and intelligence officers assess every allegation of fraudulent use of Australian passports,' a DFAT spokesman said.
The use of a false Australian passport is an offence under that country's passport legislation, with convicted offenders facing up to 10 years' jail, or a fine of up to A$330,000 (about RM910,500), or both.
DFAT added that it could not comment on individual cases because of privacy laws.
Low, who has consistently denied wrongdoing, is wanted by multiple jurisdictions, including Malaysia, the United States and Singapore, for his role in siphoning an estimated US$4.5bil (RM21bil) from the sovereign wealth fund.
Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has been in prison since 2022 after being convicted of corruption and money laundering linked to the scandal.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim responded cautiously to the latest claims, saying he "we have no information, we are yet to receive anything."
"Let me check. I've read [the media reports]. I need to verify with the home minister,' he was quoted as saying by Bernama.
The Brazen report also comes amid long-standing international efforts to bring Low to justice.
In 2019, the US Department of Justice reached a settlement with him to recover US$1bil, but he remains a wanted man.
Authorities previously seized the superyacht Equanimity, which was allegedly purchased with stolen 1MDB funds. The vessel was later sold for US$126mil, and the proceeds returned to Malaysia.
The use of forged Australian passports has raised concerns in the past. In 2010, Australia expelled an Israeli diplomat after Mossad agents used fake Australian documents in an assassination operation.
To enhance document security, Australia introduced the R Series passport in 2023, which DFAT says has advanced security features to deter counterfeiting and forgery.