Billion-Dollar Gambling Ring Busted After Boss's Kidnapping

The boss of a billion-dollar illegal gambling operation was kidnapped in Malaysia. The kidnappers demanded a $10 million ransom in cryptocurrency. Malaysian police rescued the man after the kidnappers received $3 million.

Officers later arrested the man after discovering that he was wanted for organizing an illegal gambling operation that generated almost $2 billion. The operation allegedly spread to Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates. Beyond the ringleader, police also arrested 43 suspected members of the international gambling ring.

The syndicate allowed users to wager on sports, baccarat, and slots. The operation allegedly hired university professors and corporate IT workers. The manager of the UAE side of the business used a private jet to take others in the operation to the FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2022.