Poker Pro Who Faked His Own Kidnapping Wins Tournament While Awaiting Sentencing

  • Poker pro George Janssen is a four-time WSOP Circuit ring winner
  • He’s awaiting his December sentencing hearing for his $3.9m fraud conviction
  • Janssen won a 312-player tournament this week in Michigan for over $18,000
Handcuffed man holding playing cards
Poker player George Janssen won a tournament in Michigan this week as he awaits sentencing in December for his $3.9m fraud case. [Image: Shutterstock.com]

The poker world has been captivated by the bizarre story of one of its players admitting to faking his own kidnapping to cover up his $3.9m fraud. George Janssen, who has won rings on the World Series of Poker Circuit on four occasions, is still playing as he awaits his fate at the December sentencing hearing.

Janssen made headlines this week after he won a No-Limit Hold’em tournament at the FireKeepers Casino in Michigan. He took home $18,556 after outlasting 311 other players in the $400 buy-in event.

taking out fraudulent multi-million-dollar auto loans

Janssen faces up to 30 years in prison for taking out fraudulent multi-million-dollar auto loans from 2016 until 2023. His family reported him missing in November 2023 after his abandoned vehicle was discovered on the side of the road.

Thirty-three days later, he was found zip-tied on a rural road, initially claiming that a gang kidnapped him to try to extort $2m. Police arrested him in February 2025 after finding the $3.9m in loans, $1.9m of which is still owed. He pleaded guilty to a single count of financial institution fraud.

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