The owner of an ?obscure? US financial firm who lives in Florida is a ?key figure? behind the scandal that has caused the firm?s shares to crash nearly 50% over the past week, claims a report by news agency Reuters.

The agency says its reporters have traced the ‘former Wall Street banker? to a residence in Boca Raton, Miami.

Reuters claims he is linked to the controversial $687m fee that Olympus paid financial advisers in 2008.

The fee was questioned by former CEO Michael Woodford who handed a dossier outlining his claims to the Serious Fraud Office after losing his job.

Earlier today Olympus, which has denied any wrongdoing, announced it would carry out its own investigation following Woodford?s accusations.

Amateur Photographer has requested comment from Olympus Tokyo on the latest revelations but had yet to receive a response at the time of writing.