George Janssen claims he was held for over a month
Federal investigators are reportedly investigating the alleged kidnapping of a Michigan poker player and four-time World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOPC) Ring winner, who was held captive for over a month as part of a two-year extortion plot.
Local news reports say that George Janssen of Bad Axe, Michigan, was discovered on a rural road in Meade Township covered in blood and with his hands zip-tied after he flagged down a passing vehicle.
“Suspicious situation,” said a dispatcher who spoke to local media outlet ABC 12. “Guy’s hands were zip-tied, says he was held captive for a month.”
It’s thought that Janssen, a former car dealership owner and poker player with career earnings of $440,763, according to the Hendon Mob, was the victim of an extortion conspiracy over the previous two years. A family member disclosed to local media that Janseen proclaimed he was kidnapped by two or three individuals and held confined in the basement of a residence in the Toledo area for 35 days before he was taken back to Hurron County on December 16.
His family initially reported him missing on November 13, says ABC 12. A family friend ultimately found Janssen’s car, and photos from police show several $50 bills strewn on the car’s floor.
Janssen’s success at the poker tables has brought him four WSOP Circuit Rings, including at the WSOP Michigan Circuit Super Series Event #3 – $20,000 NLH 6-Max in 2023 for $6,281.
Most recently, Janssen took down the MSPT Venetian $1,600 Main Event in September under the nickname “georgejanssen” on WSOP and “georgjanssen” on PokerStars, for his biggest career cash of $82,823. A few weeks prior, Janssen finished third to win $79,861 at the MSPT Ohio Poker State Championship.
