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A Taiwan businessman who reportedly amassed tens of millions of US dollars from illegal gambling has been murdered by his kidnappers, police confirmed on Monday.
Shih Chia-chin was picked up by his chauffeur Hsieh Yuan-hsin from the northern airport of Taoyuan on August 18. A few hours later Shih’s company received a phone call demanding a ransom of Tw$50 million (US$1.7 million).
His family attempted to negotiate with the kidnappers and even wired Tw$30 million to three designated bank accounts, but also alerted police.
Authorities confirm that the chauffeur attempted to withdraw the wired funds soon after. He fled Taiwan on a flight to Thailand using a fake passport.
Shih's body was found Sunday evening in a ditch in a remote area of the southern city of Tainan. Police said at least two other people were involved in the kidnap.
Shih had kept a low profile since he survived a kidnapping attempt four years ago and was also sentenced to an 18-month suspended prison sentence for operating an illegal online gambling ring nine years ago.
- Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com
