Karl Lee, alias Li Fangwei, plays a key role in the secret struggle between the world powers, bypassing Western sanctions to supply dictators with the weapons they need to wipe out their neighbouring countries - or even to trigger a third world war.

For almost two decades, intelligence agencies have been hunting for Karl Lee. The FBI has put a $5 million bounty on his head, but nobody has been able to catch him. Now, four award-winning investigative journalists set out to find him. Following the routes of his deliveries and his money, the authors track down Karl Lee's businesses in China and uncover his network of shell companies. During their investigation, they get embroiled deeper and deeper in the shady world of the Chinese phantom, and realise that Karl Lee is just a pawn in a much bigger game of modern warfare and international espionage.


'The book is an accomplished piece of investigative journalism that sheds light on the inner workings of the global arms trade. The subject is urgent and timely.'
-The Economist

'A thrilling and globe-spanning account of the search for the world's most wanted man. The authors delve into the murky worlds of arms smuggling, sanctions-busting and espionage. In their hunt for the Chinese phantom, they encounter suspicious police, atomic experts, and former spies, as well as a perplexing wall of silence from the Israeli and US governments. The book delves into international rivalries, and explores a shifting game of realpolitik featuring Beijing and Washington, Tehran and Moscow, London and Munich. Lucid, compelling, and vividly written.'
-Luke Harding, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Invasion

'This gripping piece of investigative journalism follows its authors' attempts to uncover the truth about one of the world's most dangerous men and his involvement in Iran's ballistic missile programme ... The Chinese Phantom invokes a parallel world of deceit and lies ... This is a thrilling and eloquent read which will appeal to a wide audience.'
-New Books in German