"Billion Dollar Whale" is a comprehensive non-fiction book written by Tom Wright and Bradley Hope, published in 2018. The book tells the story of Jho Low, a young and enigmatic financier from Malaysia, who orchestrated one of the largest and most audacious financial frauds in history. Through detailed research and interviews with key players involved in the story, the book provides an in-depth and engaging account of one of the biggest financial scandals of the 21st century.
The book begins by introducing Jho Low, a young businessman from Malaysia who quickly rose to prominence through his connections with the country's elite. Low's ultimate goal was to control and siphon off funds from the state investment fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) which was established to spur economic development in Malaysia. The fund was meant to finance infrastructure projects and other developments, but low had other plans for the money. Using his connections with the country's political elite, particularly with the then Prime minister, Najib Razak, Low managed to gain access to the fund.
The authors then detail the scheme that Low, and his associates masterminded to launder billions of dollars from the fund. The scheme involved creating an intricate web of shell companies, fake documents, and bribes that spanned across several countries and involved some of the world's largest financial institutions. Low and his accomplices managed to steal billions of dollars from the fund and used the money to fund lavish lifestyles, including the purchase of yachts, private jets, and real estate. They also used the money to fund Hollywood movies, buy art, and make political donations.
The book also delves into the involvement of high-level politicians and international banks in the scandal. The authors reported how Low, and his associates used their connections with Najib to gain access to the fund and how they used the proceeds to influence politics in Malaysia. The book also includes the role of some of the world's largest financial institutions, like Goldman Sachs, who were hired to raise money for the fund but later became embroiled in the scandal by using their services to launder the money.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the book is the authors' exploration of the efforts of investigative journalists and government officials to uncover the truth behind the scandal. The book provides a behind-the-scenes look at the complex and often dangerous work of uncovering corruption on a global scale, and the challenges faced by those who sought to bring Low and his accomplices to justice. The book reports the investigative journalists and government officials’ journey in uncovering the embezzlement of billions of dollars, connecting the dots, following leads and meeting with whistleblowers, who often put their own lives on the line to reveal the truth.
In conclusion, "Billion Dollar Whale" is a meticulously researched and engaging account of one of the biggest financial scandals of the 21st century. It provides insights into the inner workings of global financial fraud and the people who perpetrate it. It's a journalistic and narrative non-fiction book that is a great choice for readers interested in business, finance, politics, and crime. It also highlights the importance of investigative journalism and the role of government institutions in detecting and prosecuting corruption.