It has been seven years since the United States Justice Department filed the largest forfeiture complaint in American history. The complaint alleged that billions of dollars had been stolen from Malaysia’s 1MDB sovereign wealth fund and used in extravagant ways across the globe. These stolen funds were reportedly spent on luxury penthouse apartments in New York, lavish mansions in exclusive Los Angeles neighborhoods, private jets, superyachts, extravagant parties with A-list celebrities, gambling trips to Las Vegas, valuable artwork, and even the financing of the Hollywood film “The Wolf of Wall Street.”
While efforts have been made to seize the assets acquired with the stolen funds and there have been significant anti-corruption trials in Kuala Lumpur, the mastermind behind the 1MDB scandal, Malaysian businessman Jho Low, remains a fugitive. Many believe that Low, who is considered the most wanted “white-collared criminal” in the world, is hiding in China, potentially under house arrest in Shanghai.
A new documentary titled “Man on the Run” delves into the 1MDB scandal and unravels how a corrupt group of co-conspirators came together to execute one of the largest frauds in history. Directed by Cassius Michael Kim, known for his work on “The Wonder List With Bill Weir,” the film features exclusive interviews with FBI agents Charles W. O’Neal and David Smith, who played instrumental roles in building the case against 1MDB. It also includes the last filmed interview with former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak before he was imprisoned for his involvement in the scandal. Additionally, the documentary features an interview with Anwar Ibrahim, the current Prime Minister of Malaysia, who was the opposition leader at the time.
The official trailer of “Man on the Run” focuses on Jho Low’s obsession with celebrities. Interviewees explain how Low would use his allegedly ill-gotten wealth to forge close relationships with the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Paris Hilton, and Jamie Foxx. One interviewee even claims that Low had a crush on Britney Spears and paid her $1 million to surprise him by popping out of a birthday cake.
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The documentary also raises the question of Jho Low’s whereabouts. In a crucial moment, the imprisoned former Prime Minister Najib Razak is asked about his former friend and advisor, “Where do you think Jho Low is?”
“Man on the Run” is a production of The Smoking Section in association with Evergreen Media. It is set to be released in theaters in New York on September 22 and in Los Angeles on September 29.
In conclusion, the 1MDB scandal remains an unresolved and captivating story. With its extravagant spending and high-profile connections, it continues to captivate audiences worldwide. “Man on the Run” promises to provide new insights and exclusive interviews to shed light on one of the biggest financial frauds in history.
