Alleged Staged Kidnapping Linked to Millions in Deceptive Financial Gain
Scummy, Small-time Con Artist: George Janssen Unmasked
Published on: 07.03.2025. Updated on: 30.04.2025.
Four-time World Series of Poker Circuit champion and ex-car dealer George "Slippery George" Janssen found himself in a heap of trouble when the US FBI nabbed him for scamming millions in cold hard cash using phony collateral and forged checks. At the end of last January, Janssen's criminal empire came crashing down like a house of cards.
The Great Poker Hustler's Downfall
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has dug deep into the sordid affairs of George "Slippery George" Janssen, once a respected figure in the poker world, and uncovered his multi-million dollar swindle spanning over several years.
Newspaper The Independent [Link in English] reports that Janssen's modus operandi involved using non-existent vehicles as collateral for bank loans and moving funds to the tune of $3.9 million (around €3.6 million) using phony checks.
Due to his questionable business dealings, his license was revoked for five years in October 2023. A few weeks later, a mysterious letter surfaced with the initials of several names spelling "KIDNAP."
In mid-December 2023, the infamous poker player was found on the side of the road in Michigan with a broken nose and hands tied up with zip ties. He claimed to have been abducted by a Mexican cartel and locked up in an Ohio basement for over a month. The cartel allegedly had taken him hostage since 2021, forcing him to cough up around $2 million (around €1.84 million) in cash at secret locations.
Questioning the Kidnapping Story
However, the FBI, with its vast resources, was quick to sniff out inconsistencies in Janssen's story. It was discovered that the shrewd con artist had drained his accounts and taken out loans from nearly 20 financial institutions before his disappearance. Several acquaintances also came forward and distanced themselves from him, claiming they were duped into taking out fraudulent loans. Furthermore, multiple banks reported to the FBI that he had left millions in unpaid loans.
"The son of a bitch caused a lot of damage. I've got a family, I've got a career. I don't need his mess too. It was a shock for everyone. [...] If there was one man I thought was playing it straight, it was George. Learning the truth was tough to swallow, and there's nothing we can do about it."- Earl McKee, long-time associate of Janssen, The Independent
The poker pro's son, Connor, is also part of the swindling scheme and admitted to processing fraudulent loan applications and cashing overdrawn checks. His cohorts also admitted to taking out loans based on his instructions and receiving cash rewards for their trouble.
Staged Kidnapping: Just a Ruse?
The FBI suspects that the kidnapping story was manufactured by Janssen himself to divert attention away from his financial crimes. To date, there is no evidence of an actual kidnapping and extortion by a Mexican cartel.
From Poker Star to Embattled Fraudster
Before his fall from grace, George Janssen was known for his success in poker tournaments and as a multiple champion of the World Series of Poker Circuit.
His accomplishments:
- Tournament Wins: Four WSOP Circuit rings and a Mid-States Poker Tour Main Event victory
- Prize Money: Over $440,000 (approx. €406,000) in live tournaments
- Biggest Win: $82,823 (approx. €77,000)
- All-Time Money List: 7,384th place (Best Rank: 6,333rd)
- US All-Time Money List: 3,613rd place
- Michigan All-Time Money List: 64th place
The admitted fraudster is currently out on bail of $10,000 (approx. €9,200) and faces up to 30 years in prison and a fine of $1 million (approx. €920,000) if convicted.
- What about the claims of Janssen's kidnapping by a Mexican cartel? The FBI has found no evidence to support this assertion, leading many to suspect it may have been a ruse to divert attention from his financial crimes.
- In his modus operandi, George "Slippery George" Janssen used non-existent vehicles as collateral for bank loans and moved funds using phony checks, defrauding banks and investors of approximately $3.9 million (around €3.6 million).
- His license was revoked for five years in October 2023 due to his questionable business dealings, and prior to his disappearance in December 2023, he drained his accounts and took out loans from nearly 20 financial institutions.
- Several acquaintances of Janssen distanced themselves from him, claiming they were victims of fraudulent loan schemes orchestrated by the poker player, leading to millions of dollars in unpaid loans reported to the FBI.
- Earl McKee, a long-time associate of Janssen, expressed dismay at the con artist's deceit, stating, "If there was one man I thought was playing it straight, it was George. Learning the truth was tough to swallow, and there's nothing we can do about it."
