Poker Professional George Janssen: Fake Kidnapping and

Alleged kidnapping by Mexican cartel

According to The Independent [Link to English], poker professional and former car dealer George Janssen was targeted by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on suspicion of a multi-million dollar fraud case. For years he used non-existent vehicles as collateral for bank loans and moved funds totaling USD 3.9 million (around EUR 3.6 million) using bad checks.

Due to these machinations, his business license was revoked for five years in November 2023. A few weeks later he disappeared and a mysterious letter appeared in which the first letters of several names spelled out the word KIDNAP.

In mid-November 2023, Janssen was found on the side of the road in Michigan with his face covered in blood and his hands bound with cable ties. He claimed to have been kidnapped by a Mexican cartel and held in a basement in the US state of Ohio for over a month. The cartel has allegedly been blackmailing him since 2021 and forced him to pay around USD 2 million (around EUR 1.84 million). These were deposited in cash in secret locations.

Significant doubts about the kidnapping story

However, the investigation revealed that Janssen had already withdrawn large amounts of cash and taken out loans from over 20 financial institutions before his disappearance. During his absence, several acquaintances contacted the authorities to distance themselves from him. They said they had been persuaded by him to take out fraudulent loans. In addition, various banks reported to the police that loans worth millions had remained unpaid.

What George did caused a lot of collateral damage. I have a family, I have a career. I don't need his problems too. That was a shock for everyone. […] If there was one man who I thought did everything right, it was George. Finding out the opposite is just hard to cope with. And there’s nothing we can do about it.”–Earl McKee, Janssen’s longtime companion, The Independent

According to the prosecution, his own son Connor was also involved in the scheme. He confessed to regularly processing fraudulent loan applications and passing on bad checks. Several acquaintances also took out loans on his instructions and each received 600 USD (around 553 EUR) as a reward.

FBI suspects staged kidnapping

There is currently no evidence of an actual kidnapping and blackmail by a cartel, which is why investigators suspect that Janssen faked his kidnapping to distract from his financial crimes.

George Janssen: From poker star to suspected cheater

For a long time, George Janssen was primarily a successful poker player and multiple champion World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOPC).

Janssen's career at a glance:

Tournament Wins: Four WSOP Circuit rings, Mid-States Poker Tour Main Event Champion
Prize money: Over 440,000 USD (around 406,000 EUR) in live tournaments
Highest single win: USD 82,823 (around EUR 77,000)
All Time Money List: 7,384. Place (Best rank: 6,333.)
US All-Time Money List: 3,613. Place
Michigan All Time Money List: 64th place

However, the four-time WSOPC champion has so far only been charged with financial fraud and not with a faked kidnapping. He would now face up to 30 years in prison and a fine of USD 1 million (around EUR 920,000). Janssen is currently said to be according to MLive [Link to English] are free on bail of 10,000 USD (around 9,200 EUR).

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