Chinese fugitive hiding on tiny Caribbean island willing to return to face US$100 million fraud accusations – but only as ‘free man’

Accused of US$100m in financial crimes, he’s holed up on Caribbean island

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St Kitts and Nevis is a member of Interpol but is under no legal obligation to comply with its red notice nor China’s demands. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 3:30pm, 9 Jul 2017Updated: 11:32pm, 9 Jul 2017

One of China’s most wanted fugitives who is holed up on a tiny Caribbean island says he is willing to return to the mainland to face his accusers – but onlyas a “free man”.

Accused of financial crimes involving more than US$100 million, businessman Ren Biao – one of the original 100 most wanted under Beijing’s international manhunt of fugitives dubbed Operation Skynet – made his plea from St Kitts and Nevis.

Ren, 43, is able to live in the Caribbean hideaway with his wife and 16-year-old son after securing a passport through its controversial Citizenship by Investment Programme in 2013.

In May 2014, he was understood to have been made the subject of an Interpol red notice following a request from Beijing, and in April this year he was on an updated list of 22 top fugitives whose personal details – including residential addresses – China released to global media.

Ren said his father, aged in his 70s, had been “detained” by mainland authorities. While this could not be independently confirmed, such a move is known to be a tactic to “persuade” fugitives to return. St Kitts and Nevis is among the countries with which Beijing has no extradition or mutual legal assistance agreement.