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The search for fugitive businessman Jho Low is purportedly focused on the West Indies.
The Star Online reported that a source said the authorities believe Low has taken refuge in Saint Kitts and Nevis islands, where he reportedly has citizenship.
"Low is a citizen of Saint Kitts and Nevis and has properties on Saint Kitts island.
"The authorities believe he is likely to head there to seek refuge as he has nowhere else to run to," the source was reported as saying today.
Saint Kitts is a West Indies island nation, made up of two islands and located between Barbados and Puerto Rico. It has been described as a playground for the wealthy.
It also allows foreigners to obtain citizenship in return for real estate investment of at least US$400,000 or a contribution of at least US$250,000 to the state's sugar industry diversification fund.
A Saint Kitts passport allows a citizen to travel without visa to over 140 countries.
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Now that Low has reportedly left Macau, the source said the doors have closed for him to hide in many countries across Southeast Asia, China and the Middle East.
Meanwhile, in Saint Kitts, Low can hop to many of the surrounding island countries where law enforcement is said to be lax, the source said.
Malaysia does not have an extradition treaty with many of the island nations in this region.
The Malaysian police had been closing in on Low in Hong Kong when he fled to Macau.
However, the 37-year-old tycoon who is wanted in connection with the 1MDB scandal had left Macau while Bukit Aman was seeking assistance from the region's authorities.
A report claimed that Low had gone to mainland China, which Malaysia has an extradition treaty with.
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) in its multiple civil forfeiture suits has alleged that Low was a key figure in the misappropriation of money from 1MDB.
He is accused of having used 1MDB funds to purchase the superyacht Equanimity, jewellery for model Miranda Kerr and also a US$27.3 million pink diamond necklace for the wife of a figure named in court filings as Malaysian Official 1 (MO1).
MO1 had been identified as former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak, who has denied abusing public funds for personal gains. -Mkini
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