Most Corrupt Official Contest

Corruption Hall of Infamy

The following is a list of former political leaders accused of embezzling the greatest sum of funds from their respective countries during the past two decades. The amounts are estimates and represented
in U.S. dollars.

Photo Name Position Funds Embezzled
Mohamed Suharto 1. Mohamed Suharto President of Indonesia (1967–1998) 15–35 billion
The former President of Indonesia allegedly stole money through privatizing state run monopolies to companies run by his family members. In return, his family donated millions to fake charities run by Suharto. Additionally, he required state run companies to import and export through Suharto’s family run companies that charged extra money for this service. Suharto-affiliated companies could also borrow money from Bank Indonesia, the central bank, without paying back a dime. During his presidency, the occupation of East Timor resulted in the deaths of almost 100,000 people, almost 1/3 of the native population. In 1998, he resigned after 31 years in power.
Ferdinand Marcos 2. Ferdinand Marcos President of the Philippines (1972–1986) 5–10 billion
Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law two years into his second term and ruled as a true dictator from then on. He is known for jailing opposition and even accused of assassinating a previous president at the age of 18. He appointed family members to all of the parliamentary positions and used their combined power to embezzle billions of dollars before he was finally exiled to the United States where he stood trial.
Mobutu Sese Seko 3. Mobutu Sese Seko President of Zaire (1965–1997) 5 billion
Over the course of 3 decades, Mobutu Sese Seko is said to have been one of the most corrupt dictators who abused human rights in Africa. While the former journalist was increasing his wealth by up to 5 billion and purchasing homes in France as well as Switzerland, the citizens of Zaire, now the Democratic Republic of Congo, were sinking in poverty despite the country’s natural resources.
Sani Abacha 4. Sani Abacha President of Nigeria (1993–1998) 2–5 billion
Abacha's government was accused of human rights abuses including the hanging of opposition members. Also known for sending troops to fight in Liberia and Sierra Leone to defend democracy while denying it for his own country. He and his family reportedly siphoned around 4 billion USD from Nigeria’s coffers. Many years and court cases after his death, around 1.2 billion was returned to the central bank of Nigeria by his members of his surviving family.
Slobodan Milosevic 5. Slobodan Milosevic President of Serbia/Yugoslavia (1989–2000) 1 billion
Responsible for four wars in the nineties including the attempted ethnic cleansing of Kosovo. Also known for assassinating any opposition including journalists and politicians. Embezzled an estimated 1 billion and went to trial for it as well as war crimes and crimes against humanity.