Malaysia targets hidden properties worth $4.3b siphoned through 1MDB

Anti-graft buster chief Latheefa Koya told reporters Malaysia is working to locate assets worth $4.3 billion which are yet to be accounted for and acquired with stolen money from the sovereign fund 1MDB.

The global money-laundering probe extends to at least six countries and Malaysia is working with these countries in an attempt to locate these properties.

This came after U.S. authorities struck a deal with alleged 1MDB mastermind and fugitive businessman Jho Low who it is said is travelling around the world with a few passports at his disposal.

The lastest nationality Jho Low is using was uncovered after a cyprus television network RICK revealed the latter obtained a Cyprus passport in return for investment in a religious entity and for the purchase of property on the Island.

U.S. Department of Justice says about $4.5 billion was siphoned from 1MDB. Swiss authorities in 2016 said at least $4 billion from 1MDB money passed through the Swiss banking system.

Latheefa declined to give further details on the assets sought and remained mum on the countries involved.

“This what we’re working on… to locate, investigate and research where these properties are,” Latheefa said.