Could a memecoin help catch a fugitive?

Forget traditional bounties – this manhunt is going digital. Journalist Bradley Hope has spent years investigating Jho Low, the mastermind of the 1MDB scandal. Now he’s using a memecoin to rally public interest – and maybe even track down the elusive billionaire.

Hope told The Crypto Radio that his groundbreaking project, the Jho Low token ($JHOLOW), is designed to surface new information about Low, who is believed to have played a leading role in the multibillion-dollar looting of Malaysia’s sovereign wealth fund.

"We've been trying to be more ambitious and more creative about how we handle this topic," Hope said, describing an investigation he and co-author Tom Wright have pursued for eight years. The token is part of Project Brazen, the investigative journalism studio Hope and Wright co-founded to explore bold, unconventional ways of telling global stories—including podcasts, books, and now, crypto.

At the heart of the case is 1MDB – a government-backed investment fund that was meant to drive national development. Instead, it became a vehicle for what prosecutors say was a multibillion-dollar fraud. The money funded luxury properties, art, celebrity parties, and even a Hollywood film. Low, now a fugitive, has evaded capture for nearly a decade despite international efforts to bring him to justice.

Unlike typical memecoins, $JHOLOW isn’t just another speculative cryptocurrency. It’s a strategic tool aimed at crowdsourcing information about a fugitive who has managed to evade justice. "The innovation on this particular coin is that it can act just like a memecoin, but it has this secondary purpose," Hope explained. "The more people treat it like a memecoin, the more it does the other purpose as well."

Turning public curiosity into intelligence

How exactly does this work? The token’s value rises with public attention and verified tips about Low’s whereabouts. If someone provides credible information, they receive $JHOLOW tokens as a reward – anonymously. "We will never say who received it," Hope emphasized. "We won't identify the wallet that received it. We'll even anonymize the amount, so that people can't trace the source of the information."

Hope likens $JHOLOW to a digital bounty hunter – but one designed for speed and openness. Unlike traditional bounty systems, which can feel slow and opaque, this token creates a direct feedback loop. Anyone with useful information can participate, get rewarded, and remain anonymous – without the red tape that usually surrounds high-profile cases.

"If you leaked to a law enforcement agency, you don't really know what's going to happen next," Hope noted. "There's a lack of immediacy to it."

This is where $JHOLOW offers something different. It’s not just a digital reward – it’s a new model for crowdsourced justice, powered by crypto and open to anyone, anywhere.

Beyond the Jho Low case

The project isn’t just about capturing a fugitive. It’s an experiment in using cryptocurrency's unique characteristics for journalistic purposes. Hope sees potential beyond the Jho Low case. "Let's say there's a big scandal at an automotive company, or a plane crashes with unanswered questions," he suggested. "There might be a way to create a 'leak coin' where people could leak information in a non-traditional way."

Hope and Wright, known for their investigative work on the book Billion Dollar Whale, have spent years exposing the intricate web of corruption surrounding Low and 1MDB. Their deep knowledge of the case and ongoing dedication to holding key figures accountable have driven them to seek innovative solutions in a world where traditional methods have often fallen short.

An invitation to a new kind of journalism

The most fascinating potential outcome? Hope’s favorite scenario isn't even an arrest. "My favorite outcome is that Jho Low steps up and says, 'Hey, actually, I want to talk. I've been hearing for years about everybody saying X, Y, and Z about me. Well, here's what I have to say.'"

Early responses have been promising. The project is gaining traction in Malaysian media, with initial tips already coming through verification. Hope sees this as more than just an investigation – it’s an invitation to participate in a new form of digital storytelling.

The project’s potential impact extends beyond crypto enthusiasts and true crime followers. By combining blockchain transparency with real-world manhunt efforts, it hints at a future where community-driven investigations could play a role in tackling international crime. For Hope, it’s about more than just tracking one fugitive – it’s about rethinking how journalism and technology intersect.

"We're not trying to be overly worthy," he stressed. "It's actually more native to crypto than most projects like this." The $JHOLOW token represents a playful yet serious approach to investigative journalism, turning the chaotic energy of cryptocurrency into a tool for uncovering truth.

For those intrigued, more information is available at whereisjoe.xyz. Whether you're a crypto enthusiast, a true crime follower, or simply curious about innovative journalism, the Jho Low token offers a fascinating glimpse into how technology might reshape how we pursue and share information.

As Hope himself put it, echoing the spirit of maverick investigation: "Create dangerously."

Listen to the whole interview on The Crypto Radio's live player or the Token Files podcast.