Chinese tycoon Guo Wengui sentenced to 30 years in US prison for fraud
✓A US federal court has sentenced exiled Chinese tycoon Guo Wengui to 30 years in prison, after he was convicted of defrauding thousands of people out of more than $1bn.
In July 2024, a jury unanimously found Guo, also known as Ho Wan Kwok and Miles Guo, guilty on nine of 12 charges, including securities offences, wire fraud and money laundering. The FBI arrested Guo, who is in his fifties, in March 2023 at his luxury Manhattan apartment overlooking Central Park.
At his sentencing hearing in New York on Monday, judge Analisa Torres said Guo had “dedicated himself to increasing his own wealth” as he “preyed” on people hoping for a democratic China.
Torres imposed a forfeiture order on Guo of $889m, as she condemned his “exploitation of a philanthropic purpose, his history of intimidation of critics and his refusal to accept responsibility”. The Chinese businessman has maintained his innocence, saying he used the funds for political purposes.
Guo, who amassed a fortune as a property developer in China, sought asylum in the US in 2017 claiming political persecution by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). He later became an outspoken critic of the CCP and portrayed himself as a staunch defender of democracy.
He also maintained ties with right-wing figures like Steve Bannon, a longtime ally of US president Donald Trump. Bannon was himself arrested in August 2020 aboard Guo’s yacht for his role in embezzling funds from a scheme which promised to privately construct barriers along the US-Mexican border. He pleaded guilty to defrauding donors in February 2025, but avoided jail.
US authorities said that once Guo was in the US, he leveraged his online notoriety as a dissident to convince people to invest in his companies or projects, promising them lucrative returns and luxury services, but instead using the proceeds to fund his lavish lifestyle.
At Monday’s trial, attended by more than 100 of his supporters, prosecutor Ryan Finkel said Guo is “not a democratic activist, he is a con artist, a scammer and a thief”.
A former associate of Guo’s, Yvette Wang, with whom he formed a lobbying group opposing the CCP, was also sentenced to 10 years in prison last year for her role in the scheme.
Read the full story at BBC ↗ · The Guardian ↗
A US federal court has sentenced Guo Wengui, an exiled Chinese businessman, to 30 years in prison following his July 2024 conviction on nine of 12 charges including securities fraud, wire fraud and money laundering. The court ordered $889m forfeiture. Prosecutors presented evidence that Guo used his public identity as a CCP critic to convince thousands to invest in his ventures, directing proceeds toward personal spending rather than promised returns. Guo sought asylum in 2017 claiming political persecution and has maintained his innocence, stating the funds supported political activities. He amassed initial wealth as a property developer in China before relocating to the US. A co-associate received a 10-year sentence for participation in the scheme.
Read the full story at BBC ↗ · The Guardian ↗
A US federal court has sentenced exiled Chinese tycoon Guo Wengui to 30 years in prison, after he was convicted of defrauding thousands of people out of more than $1bn.
In July 2024, a jury unanimously found Guo, also known as Ho Wan Kwok and Miles Guo, guilty on nine of 12 charges, including securities offences, wire fraud and money laundering. The FBI arrested Guo, who is in his fifties, in March 2023 at his luxury Manhattan apartment overlooking Central Park.
At his sentencing hearing in New York on Monday, judge Analisa Torres said Guo had “dedicated himself to increasing his own wealth” as he “preyed” on people hoping for a democratic China.
Torres imposed a forfeiture order on Guo of $889m, as she condemned his “exploitation of a philanthropic purpose, his history of intimidation of critics and his refusal to accept responsibility”. The Chinese businessman has maintained his innocence, saying he used the funds for political purposes.
Guo, who amassed a fortune as a property developer in China, sought asylum in the US in 2017 claiming political persecution by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). He later became an outspoken critic of the CCP and portrayed himself as a staunch defender of democracy.
He also maintained ties with right-wing figures like Steve Bannon, a longtime ally of US president Donald Trump. Bannon was himself arrested in August 2020 aboard Guo’s yacht for his role in embezzling funds from a scheme which promised to privately construct barriers along the US-Mexican border. He pleaded guilty to defrauding donors in February 2025, but avoided jail.
US authorities said that once Guo was in the US, he leveraged his online notoriety as a dissident to convince people to invest in his companies or projects, promising them lucrative returns and luxury services, but instead using the proceeds to fund his lavish lifestyle.
At Monday’s trial, attended by more than 100 of his supporters, prosecutor Ryan Finkel said Guo is “not a democratic activist, he is a con artist, a scammer and a thief”.
A former associate of Guo’s, Yvette Wang, with whom he formed a lobbying group opposing the CCP, was also sentenced to 10 years in prison last year for her role in the scheme.
Read the full story at BBC ↗ · The Guardian ↗
US federal court sentenced exiled Chinese businessman Guo Wengui to 30 years in prison In July 2024, a jury found Guo guilty on nine of 12 charges including securities offences, wire fraud and money laundering FBI arrested Guo in March 2023 at his Manhattan apartment Court ordered $889m forfeiture Guo is accused of defrauding thousands of people out of more than $1bn Guo sought US asylum in 2017 claiming political persecution by the Chinese Communist Party Guo maintained ties with right-wing figures including Steve Bannon Prosecutors alleged Guo leveraged his online notoriety as a dissident to convince people to invest, then used proceeds for personal luxury spending Guo has maintained his innocence and said funds were used for political purposes Guo 'dedicated himself to increasing his own wealth' and 'preyed' on people hoping for democratic China Guo is 'not a democratic activist, he is a con artist, a scammer and a thief'
Read the full story at BBC ↗ · The Guardian ↗
- Chinese businessman Guo Wengui sentenced to 30 years in US prison after July 2024 conviction on fraud charges including securities offences, wire fraud and money laundering
- Federal judge ordered $889m forfeiture; prosecutors alleged Guo defrauded thousands of people out of over $1bn by using his profile as CCP critic to solicit investments
- Guo claimed political persecution and asylum in 2017, maintained innocence at sentencing, saying funds were used for political purposes rather than personal enrichment
- Co-associate Yvette Wang received 10-year sentence for role in scheme