Unnamed Casino Junkets Implicated in $3.6 Million Ransom Payment Linked to Assassinated Chinese Steel Magnate
May 7, 2025: 08:51h
Last Updated: May 7, 2025, 09:43h.
By Phil Conneller, "@casinoorgphilc" | Casino Business | Regulation | Tribal Gaming
This ain't your average run-of-the-mill kidnapping story, folks. We're talking about a million-dollar ransom paid to two shady casino junket operators, 9 Dynasty Group, and White Horse Club, only for the kidnapped Chinese businessman, Congyuan Guo, to end up cold as ice on the side of the road.
The story begins on March 29 when Guo, known as Anson Tan or Anson Que, and his driver, Armanie Pabillo, mysteriously disappeared. The next day, a ransom note appeared, and Guo's family handed over a whopping $3.6 million. But it seems the kidnappers never intended to play fair.
On April 9, the duo's decaying bodies were discovered in a rural area northeast of Manila, stashed in nylon bags with duct tape over their heads. There was clear evidence of torture. Police now believe that the kidnappers didn't want to negotiate – the ransom was just a smokescreen.
Apparently, Guo was involved in a $20 million online gambling deal that went bust. His partners demanded their money back, but Guo couldn't deliver. It's said that the killers sent a blunt message: Cross the wrong people, and you'll wish for death.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) named David Tan Liao as the alleged mastermind behind the plot. Three individuals have been arrested, including Liao, and two more are on the loose. Five people are said to have received the ransom money, and two of them are already behind bars.
The PNP is preparing to hammer the junket operators with charges, with likely offenses including money laundering, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, and violation of e-commerce laws. Authorities haven't spilled the beans on the specifics just yet, but let's face it – these casino junkets got their mitts on that ransom money, and the cops are merciless on that front.
Stay tuned for updates on this chilling tale of greed, double-crossing, and cold, hard cash!
Enrichment Data:
- The two casino junket operators named in connection with the murder of Congyuan Guo are 9 Dynasty Group and White Horse Club*. According to the Philippine National Police (PNP), these two groups received and transferred the $3.6 million ransom paid by Guo’s family, funneling the money through various accounts and finally into crypto wallets.* While several individual suspects, including David Tan Liao (the alleged mastermind), have been arrested and charged, the focus on the junket operators centers on their role in handling ransom funds. Authorities have not yet publicly detailed criminal charges solely against the junket operators, separating their facilitation activities from the actual kidnapping and murder charges against others involved. Police and the government are treating this as an ongoing investigation with possible national security implications, especially since one of the group leaders, Li Duang Wang (Mark Ong) of the 9 Dynasty Group, recently had his naturalization vetoed by the president.
- The million-dollar ransom paid for Congyuan Guo's release was received by two shady casino junket operators, the 9 Dynasty Group and White Horse Club.
- The online gambling dispute that Guo was involved in seems to have been the catalyst for his kidnapping and subsequent murder.
- Philippine police have named David Tan Liao as the alleged mastermind behind the plot to kidnap and murder Guo.
- The Philippine National Police (PNP) is preparing to charge the 9 Dynasty Group and White Horse Club with money laundering, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, and violation of e-commerce laws.
- The ransom money paid by Guo's family was transferred through various accounts before ending up in crypto wallets.
- The focus on the casino junkets, specifically the 9 Dynasty Group and White Horse Club, centers on their role in handling the ransom funds.
- Authorities have not yet publicly detailed criminal charges solely against the junket operators, separating their facilitation activities from the actual kidnapping and murder charges against others involved.
- The PNP is treating this case as an ongoing investigation with possible national security implications, especially since the leader of the 9 Dynasty Group, Li Duang Wang (Mark Ong), had his naturalization vetoed by the president.
- Stay tuned for updates on this alarming tale of greed, double-crossing, and illegal activities, including online gambling, kidnapping, ransom, and cryptocurrency laundering.
- This story serves as a reminder of the dangerous world of casino-and-gambling businesses and the potential involvements in crime and justice matters.