POLICE are working on bringing home fugitive Malaysian businessman Teow Wooi Huat following his arrest in Thailand recently.

Bukit Aman secretary Noorsiah Mohd Saaduddin in a statement said Teow is a wanted man and is being investigated under section 420 of the penal code for cheating.

“The suspect Teow Wooi Huat, who is under Thai police custody, is wanted under section 420 of the penal code.

“Police are in the process of bringing Teow home to assist in investigations,” said Noorsiah.

On Saturday, Sadao Police Superintendent Pol Col Bunthaeng Laocharoen told Bernama that the 55-year-old Teow, founder of MBI Group International, has been handed over to the Immigration police in Songkhla and later transferred to Suan Plu Immigration Office in Bangkok.

Bunthaeng refuted media reports that Teow was arrested in southern province of Songkhla on charges relating to money-laundering in connection with an online gambling venture in Danok, Sadao.

“Teow is on the Interpol Red Notice list and he was called in to be informed that his visa has been revoked. He will not be charged in Thailand,” he said.

Meanwhile, Bangkok Post reported that Teow is still under Thai Immigration custody and is waiting to be deported to China.

“He is expected to be deported to China soon,” a police source told Bernama but did not divulge details on when Teow will be deported. 

However, local Thai media reported that the businessman will be deported to China tomorrow.

Media reported that Teow – dubbed Jho Low 2 in reference to another Malaysian fugitive businessman, Low Taek Jho, who is linked to the 1Malaysia Development Bhd scandal – had fled to Danok in Sadao in 2020. 

Teow reportedly founded MBI Group, which operates an entertainment complex, including a resort at Thailand-Malaysia border town Danok.

Teow built a business empire from elaborate investment schemes, luring investors from China, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Macau.

In 2017, Teow had been initially arrested by the Thai Narcotics Suppression Bureau on drug charges. However, he fled Songkhla and managed to escape capital punishment.

In 2019, Malaysian authorities froze 91 bank accounts with RM177 million linked to MBI Group International.

Bank Negara Malaysia had flagged the company for allegedly operating a dubious financial scheme. – July 25, 2022.