The fugitive Malaysian financier Jho Low, a central figure in the multibillion-dollar scandal at the state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), is reportedly seeking a pardon from the US president, Donald Trump .

Low faces multiple charges including corruption and money laundering in the US and Malaysia for the important role he allegedly played in the misappropriation of at least $4.5bn (£3.3bn) from 1MDB.

The scandal was one of the world’s biggest financial frauds , with billions plundered from the now defunct sovereign wealth fund in a scandal that began to unfold in 2015.

Low has consistently denied wrongdoing and his whereabouts is unknown.

Low recently filed a request for a pardon that, if granted, would remove US criminal charges against him, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

A White House official said Low’s request was not on its radar, the report said.

The US Justice Department website lists a pending request for a “pardon after…