Billion Dollar Whale

Now a #1 international bestseller, Billion Dollar Whale is "an epic tale of white-collar crime on a global scale" (Publishers Weekly, starred review), revealing how a young social climber from Malaysia orchestrated one of the biggest financial heists in history.

Billion Dollar Whale follows the meteoric rise of Jho Low, a mild-mannered graduate of the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business, and his audacious plan to defraud billions of dollars from the Malaysian government's investment fund, 1MDB. Low's scheme started modestly in 2009 but quickly expanded into a sprawling fraud of unprecedented scope, capturing the attention of the global financial community.

With the complicity of high-profile financial institutions, including Goldman Sachs, Low siphoned billions from 1MDB, using the stolen funds to finance an extravagant lifestyle. His purchases ranged from election campaign contributions to luxury real estate, lavish parties, and even a significant investment in Hollywood, notably financing The Wolf of Wall Street.

By early 2019, Low's opulent lifestyle came crashing down as authorities from multiple countries seized his assets, including his yacht and private jet. Facing criminal charges in Malaysia and the United States, Low became an international fugitive, while the U.S. Department of Justice pursued its investigation into the sprawling scandal.

Billion Dollar Whale is not just a thrilling tale of deception and luxury; it serves as a cautionary story of hubris and greed, joining the ranks of financial crime classics such as Liar's Poker, Den of Thieves, and Bad Blood. This riveting account is a must-read for anyone interested in the darker side of the global financial system and the stories of those who manipulate it for their gain.