The swindler who deceived Leonardo DiCaprio.
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Introducing Jho Low.
• Embezzled $4.5 billion from his homeland.
• Compensated celebrities with millions for social events.
• Vanished without a trace.
Here's how he executed the most significant scam you may not be familiar with:
In the early 2000s, Low, a businessman and financier from Malaysia, targeted the 1MDB fund, a sovereign wealth fund created by the Malaysian government to foster economic advancement and development. With the assistance of corrupt officials, Low siphoned off billions from the fund, utilizing the funds to support his extravagant lifestyle and to bribe politicians, business leaders, and celebrities.
Among his prominent acquaintances was Leonardo DiCaprio, whom he befriended and lavished with gifts, including a rare Picasso painting and a $9.2 million investment in his production company, Appian Way. DiCaprio, oblivious to Low's ulterior motives, even organized a fundraising dinner for what he believed was a legitimate charity, which was, in fact, a facade for money laundering.
Low's circle of celebrity friends also included Paris Hilton, Kim Kardashian, and Jamie Foxx, all of whom enjoyed opulent parties and generous gifts. He even enlisted Swizz Beatz to perform at one of his birthday celebrations, which reportedly cost $2 million.
However, Low's operation was fraught with danger. In 2015, the Malaysian government initiated an investigation into the 1MDB fund, and Low's name began to emerge in relation to the scandal. Fearing legal repercussions, he vanished, leaving behind a legacy of debts, lawsuits, and disgruntled creditors.
Currently, Low remains elusive, with his location unknown. Despite Interpol issuing a red notice for his apprehension, he has successfully evaded capture, prompting many to question how he managed to orchestrate one of the largest frauds in history.