Exclusive | Fire-damaged penthouse linked to a convicted Chinese fraudster lists for $24 million — a staggering drop from its original asking price of $86 million

The Manhattan penthouse associated with convicted Chinese fraudster Guo Wengui is back on the market for $24 million, according to a StreetEasy listing update — a surprising drop from the original asking price of $86 million.

Guo is also known by his real name, Ho Wan Kwok, or Miles Kwok.

In any case, Guo was initially admitted to the board of the notoriously stuffy Sherry-Holland co-op, at 781 Fifth Ave., thanks to a letter from former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Blair had also dined at the apartment, sources say.

But Guo turned into the cooperation board’s worst nightmare. He lived in the unit, with its stunning views of Central Park, which he bought for $67.5 million in 2015, while waiting for political asylum that never came.

Instead, by March 2023, the FBI showed up at dawn to arrest him for orchestrating a multi-billion dollar fraud scheme. But while the FBI agents were still in the apartment, a mysterious flame broke out.

Sources at the time told The Post they believed the fire was started remotely and that the entire apartment was wired to record guests.

Last July, the self-exiled businessman was convicted by a Manhattan court of defrauding his online followers in an investment and cryptocurrency scheme, in part, to buy a $26.5 million New Jersey mansion and a $37 million yacht. dollars. He was found guilty of nine of the 12 criminal charges against him, including racketeering and money laundering. His sentencing is reportedly set for November. 19.

Guo faces decades in prison and/or deportation to China, where he also faces criminal charges.

The penthouse is stunning but in rough shape after the fire, which has been one reason why the apartment’s price has plummeted, sources told Gimme Shelter. Guo had first tried to flip the house for $86 million the same year he bought it, but there were no takers. The residence is a 15-room compound assembled by the previous owner, the late Gilbert Haroche, a co-founder of Liberty Travel.

In an art-filled penthouse interview with Gimme Shelter in 2018, Guo portrayed himself as a civic-minded billionaire who desperately wanted to destroy the Chinese Communist Party. But his story was complicated.

Guo made his fortune in China, in real estate, thanks in part to his relationship with a senior Chinese intelligence official, Ma Jian — who was later sentenced to life in prison for taking $15.9 million in bribes from Guo. In the interview, Guo said the CCP wanted to “break” him. “But I don’t crumble under pressure. I become stronger from it,” Guo said.

“I have 60 custom-made Brioni suits and handmade Louis Vuitton shoes. I don’t care about things. I am a Buddhist,” he added in the interview. “But the PKK wanted to take everything away from me – my wealth, my freedom and my dignity. All this helps to show that they cannot.”

Penthouse with full floor is 7000 square meters. It comes with six bedrooms and 100 feet of Central Park views, along with panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline and three large terraces overlooking the city. Work has been done to create a white space where the fire damage was, according to the current listing.

The home features a corner living room, a library with a wet bar, a formal dining room and a corner den, along with multiple bedrooms and dressing rooms.

The listing broker is Serena Boardman of Sotheby’s, who could not be reached for comment.