US justice department probes Jho Low role in 1MDB scandal

US authorities are planning to file criminal charges against Malaysian financier Jho Low in connection with the stricken sovereign wealth fund 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), the Wall Street Journal reported.

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The prosecution’s plans could change or be dropped as the probe continues and there was no timing provided on when the charges could be filed, the paper said citing sources familiar with the matter.

Singapore is also building a potential criminal case against Low, the paper added, citing a person familiar with the probe.

Singapore police in November identified Low as a “key person of interest” in its money laundering probe that it described as a complex and sophisticated investigation involving billions of dollars.

In March, former Goldman Sachs director Tim Leissner was banned from working in Singapore’s financial services industry for 10 years for his involvement with stricken Malaysian sovereign wealth fund 1MDB, with further prohibition orders expected.

In February, Switzerland’s financial regulator fined Coutts & Co, which counts the Queen among its clients, for violating money-laundering rules and illegally profiting from transactions associated with 1MDB.

 

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