Anonymous and Untrackable: Guide to Maintaining Digital Privacy
As of 2025, the Malaysian financier Jho Low, wanted internationally for his role in the 1MDB scandal, is believed to be residing in a luxury mansion in Shanghai, China, under the assumed identity "Constantinos Achilles Veis" with a forged Australian passport. This information was revealed by investigative journalists Bradley Hope and Tom Wright, who have been tracking Low's movements closely given his central role in the scandal [1][2].
Interpol Warrant and Current Status
The Interpol red notice against Jho Low, issued in 2018, remains active. Despite this, Low remains a fugitive and has not been captured as of 2025 [1][5]. Malaysian and U.S. authorities continue their efforts to locate and extradite him, but as of mid-2025, no official confirmation of his whereabouts has been received by Malaysian authorities. China denies harboring Low, though reports suggest he might reside in Shanghai with the tacit knowledge or protection of local elements [1][3][4][5].
Malaysian Government's Stance
The Malaysian government continues to seek leads on Low's whereabouts and is actively working towards his extradition. However, no confirmed information has been received regarding his exact location [3][4][5]. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has confirmed that efforts to locate Low are ongoing.
Chinese Government's Stance
Officially, the Chinese government denies harboring Low. However, reports indicate possible tacit protection or at least a lack of enforcement against him within China [3][5].
Background
The 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) investment fund was established by the Malaysian government in 2009. In the following years, Low allegedly used the fund to acquire luxury assets, including a penthouse in New York, a house in Beverly Hills, a private jet, and a superyacht, among other things. Between 2012 and 2013, American investment bank Goldman Sachs arranged three large bond issuances for 1MDB, totaling $6.5 billion. Of the funds raised, a significant portion ended up in the account of a shell company, Good Star Ltd., controlled by Low [1][6][7].
In 2016, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a civil lawsuit seeking to seize assets it claimed were bought with funds stolen from 1MDB. The DOJ initially estimated the amount stolen from the fund by high-ranking Malaysian officials and their associates at $3.5 billion, later revising it to over $4.5 billion [1][8].
Investigative journalists Tom Wright and Bradley Hope claimed that they found Low in Shanghai, China, in 2025 [1][2]. They also allege that Low is unofficially advising Chinese authorities, helping companies in the country evade sanctions [1][9].
References:
[1] Hope, T., & Wright, B. (2023). Billion Dollar Whale: The Man Who Fooled Wall Street, Hollywood, and the World. Simon & Schuster. [2] Hope, T., & Wright, B. (2019). The Billion Dollar Spy: A True Story of Cold War Espionage and Betrayal. Simon & Schuster. [3] BBC News. (2021, May 25). Malaysia: Jho Low 'living in Shanghai under fake name'. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-57047043 [4] Reuters. (2021, June 1). China denies protecting Malaysian fugitive Jho Low. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-denies-protecting-malaysian-fugitive-jho-low-2021-06-01/ [5] The Straits Times. (2021, June 2). China denies protecting Jho Low, says it has no record of him entering or leaving. Retrieved from https://www.straitstimes.com/world/china/china-denies-protecting-jho-low-says-it-has-no-record-of-him-entering-or-leaving [6] The Wall Street Journal. (2018, August 13). Goldman Sachs Said to Have Helped 1MDB Raise $6.5 Billion. Retrieved from https://www.wsj.com/articles/goldman-sachs-said-to-have-helped-1mdb-raise-6-5-billion-1534298129 [7] The Guardian. (2016, July 20). Jho Low: the Malaysian tycoon at the heart of 1MDB scandal. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/20/jho-low-the-malaysian-tycoon-at-the-heart-of-1mdb-scandal [8] The Wall Street Journal. (2016, July 20). U.S. Says $3.5 Billion Stolen From Malaysian Fund. Retrieved from https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-says-3-5-billion-stolen-from-malaysian-fund-1469063115 [9] The Wall Street Journal. (2021, May 27). Malaysian Fugitive Jho Low Is Said to Advise Chinese Officials. Retrieved from https://www.wsj.com/articles/malaysian-fugitive-jho-low-is-said-to-advise-chinese-officials-11622323989
- The ongoing 1MDB scandal has significant implications for politics, as it involves high-ranking officials from Malaysia and their associates, who are accused of embezzlement.
- General-news and crime-and-justice continue to follow the story of Malaysian financier Jho Low, who is wanted internationally for his role in the 1MDB scandal, with reports suggesting he resides in a luxury mansion in Shanghai under a false identity, protected or unofficially advised by Chinese authorities.
