Chinese fugitive linked to illegal gambling found living in Japan despite UK asset freeze

16 July 2026 , 17:30

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Chinese fugitive linked to illegal gambling found living in Japan despite UK asset freeze

He is wanted in China for allegedly running illegal gambling operations, and the U.K. has frozen more than $100-million worth of his London real estate. 

But for the past two years, Su Jiangbo has been living in Japan where he runs a travel business and owns two properties, OCCRP and Kyodo News have discovered.

Land and company records obtained by Kyodo News show that Su Jiangbo purchased a house in his name in the suburbs of Osaka in 2024. He is also listed as the director of an Osaka-based tourism and real estate company, which owns another house.

“I chose to relocate to Japan because of its political and economic stability, well-developed infrastructure, robust intellectual property protection, and welcoming, civilised society,” Su Jiangbo told OCCRP in an email.

Those factors, he added, “provide a strong foundation for long-term business development.” 

In the U.K., the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) issued freezing orders on his 85 London properties, but referred to Su Jiangbo in its March announcement only as “Mr. X.” 

Sophia Martinez

World Affairs Correspondent