Inside exiled Chinese billionaire Guo Wengui’s ‘mysterious’ life: once one of China’s richest men, the business tycoon fled the country and has ties to Donald Trump – but was just arrested for fraud
- Chinese billionaire Guo Wengui was arrested by the FBI on March 15 at his US$82 million penthouse in New York for operating a billion-dollar fraud scheme – then the flat mysteriously caught fire …
- A known critic of the CCP and associate of Steve Bannon and Trumpist Republicans, the controversial property tycoon, rapper, and crypto guru’s life has been the subject of many conspiracy theories
Chinese businessman Guo Wengui’s life has been likened to a story from a spy thriller. Besides being a known critic of the Chinese government and associate of Trumpist Republicans, he’s also been accused of stealing billions from his followers to fund his luxury lifestyle.
The billionaire has reportedly even been accused of being a Chinese agent, which he denies, despite fleeing his home country years ago after claiming he was accused of fraud and corruption by Chinese authorities.
Last week the tycoon made headlines when he was arrested at his luxury flat in New York by the FBI on fraud charges, and it was revealed that the property guru goes by several names.
Here’s what we know about Guo and his outlandish “not-your-typical” billionaire lifestyle …
Why is Guo Wengui such a controversial billionaire?
The controversial billionaire, once one of China’s richest men, has positioned himself as an activist trying “to expose the leviathan Chinese mafia state”.
An ally of Steve Bannon and other pro-Trump Republicans, Guo has also variously portrayed himself as a rapper, online influencer, crypto guru and real estate mogul.
The mystery around the billionaire deepened this week after US authorities charged the property tycoon with orchestrating a billion-dollar fraud. Much of his background is still shrouded in secrecy and Guo’s exact goals and loyalties are the subject of speculation and conspiracy theories.