Latest news with #JhoLow
The Star
8 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Bringing 'Achilles' to heel: Portal claims Jho Low in China under fake Aussie passport, Greek alias
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.
Malay Mail
10 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Jho Low using fake passport? Our investigators probe every claim, Australian authorities say
CANBERRA, July 22 — Australian authorities have reportedly said its investigators assess each allegation of the use of its fake passports, following revelations that fugitive broker Low Taek Jho is using one. Its Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, however, did not elaborate on such an investigation on the man known as Jho Low, or whether it is currently investigating the matter. 'The Australian Passport Office specialist investigators and intelligence officers assess every allegation of fraudulent use of Australian passports,' a spokesman was quoted saying by Sydney-based public broadcaster ABC. 'The use of a false Australian passport is an offence under Australian passport legislation, which can attract a maximum of 10 years' imprisonment and/or a AU$330,000 (RM912,000) fine.' 'Due to privacy obligations, the department cannot comment on individual cases,' it added. Last week, it was reported that Low, has supposedly been located in a luxury neighbourhood in Shanghai, China, where he is said to be living under a false identity and working with entities linked to the Chinese government. Low is allegedly now residing in Green Hills, an exclusive enclave in Shanghai — by taking a Greek alias of Constantinos Achilles Veis using a fake Australian passport. Penang-born Low is accused of masterminding the multibillion-dollar 1MDB scandal and has been on the run since 2015, with his exact whereabouts remaining unconfirmed to date.
Bloomberg
a day ago
- Politics
- Bloomberg
Malaysia to Look Into Claim 1MDB Fugitive Jho Low Is in China
Malaysia will look into a report that fugitive Low Taek Jho, wanted in connection with the multibillion dollar collapse of state fund 1MDB, is living in China. The country has not received information on the whereabouts of Low, better known as Jho Low, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Saturday, state news agency Bernama reported. Anwar said he would need to check with the home ministry, which didn't respond to calls early Monday.
Focus Malaysia
2 days ago
- Politics
- Focus Malaysia
UMNO man is furious Jho Low is still at large
UMNO Supreme Council member Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi criticised Malaysian authorities for their delay in tracking and extraditing Jho Low, following reports that he is living luxuriously in Shanghai using a fake Australian passport with a Greek name. Puad said it is the responsibility of the police and of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Comission (MACC) to bring Jho Low back to face justice. He also criticised former IGP Abdul Hamid Bador for failing to fulfil his promise to bring Jho Low back by end-2019 and mocked his remarks about Jho Low's changed appearance. 'If it is true that he is in Shanghai, then it is the heavy responsibility of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and the MACC to bring Jho Low back to face justice,' he said in a statement on Saturday. Abdul Hamid Bador Puad said, 'He even promised that Jho Low would be brought back before the end of December 2019. However, it was all just empty talk ('sembang kari') that ultimately embarrassed the country.' Additionally, Puad suggested that Najib's trial is unfair without key witnesses like Jho Low present. 'If that is the case, the charges should be dropped,' he added. Meanwhile, Rawang assemblyman Chua Wei Kiat has urged Putrajaya to offer a RM10 million reward for credible information leading to the capture of fugitive financier Jho Low. He argued that Jho Low's return is crucial for justice in the 1MDB case, similar to former prime minister Najib Razak being tried. Chua said the reward is a small amount compared to the RM29 billion already recovered from 1MDB assets and would show Malaysia's commitment to fighting corruption. After nearly four years, Jho Low, the mastermind of the 1MDB scandal, has reportedly been located in Shanghai's exclusive Green Hills area, living under a fake Australian passport and driving luxury cars, according to journalists Bradley Hope and Tom Wright. —July 20, 2025 Main image: Malay Mail
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
No info on Jho Low being in Shanghai, says PM
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the government has yet to receive any information about Low Taek Jho being in Shanghai, China, and holding a fake Australian passport. (Johnshen Lee pic) GEORGE TOWN : Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said today he has no information on a claim that fugitive financier Low Taek Jho, or Jho Low, is living in Shanghai, China. He said the home ministry would need to check on the claim about Low's whereabouts. 'I have no information. We haven't received any information on this,' he said briefly to reporters after the groundbreaking ceremony of Kompleks Madani at Teluk Kumbar. Late yesterday, investigative journalists Bradley Hope and Tom Wright said Low, the alleged mastermind in the 1MDB scandal, is believed to be residing in a high-end neighbourhood in Shanghai and holding a fake Australian passport. In a YouTube livestream, they said they had gathered evidence from various sources and newly uncovered documents which showed that Low is living in a mansion in Green Hills, an 'ultra high-end neighbourhood' in Shanghai. They said Low was using a fake Australian passport with the Greek name Constantinos Achilles Veis to hide his identity. Hope and Wright also claimed that Low was now working as a 'behind-the-scenes strategist for the Chinese government'. His role allegedly includes helping sanctioned companies from China 'navigate difficulties around the world'. The duo are former Wall Street Journal journalists who broke many of the key early 1MDB stories and co-wrote the book 'Billion Dollar Whale' about the scandal. Low, who has been charged in Malaysia and the US over allegations that he orchestrated the theft of US$4.5 billion from 1MDB, was previously said to be in Macau, although Beijing has denied protecting the fugitive financier.
