A report released by China's central bank says thousands of corrupt government officials have stolen nearly $150 billion and fled overseas, mainly to the United States.
Between 16,000 and 18,000 officials and employees of state-owned companies are alleged to have left China with the funds from the mid-1990s up until 2008.
The officials used offshore bank accounts to smuggle the funds, according to the study, which was posted on the People's Bank of China website this week but has since been removed.
It said the officials smuggled billions into the US, Australia, Canada and Holland through offshore bank accounts or investments, like property or collectables.
The stolen funds were allegedly covered up by disguising them as business transactions and establishing private companies to receive the money transfers.
