Billionaire Crypto Gaming Mogul Escaped Kidnapping Attempt

Australian gaming billionaire Tim Heath managed to escape a potential kidnapping by members of an international criminal syndicate while in Estonia in July, per court documents. 

Heath got in on Bitcoin early and made his gaming fortune with crypto gaming brands like Bitcasino.io and Sportsbet.io. In 2017, he invested in Yolo Group, which holds more than 100 positions for companies in fintech, blockchain, gaming, and more. These include GAN, Evolution, Green Jade Games, and more. 

He’s worth approximately AU$2.27 billion. 

The criminals assault Heath, attempting to put him into a van, but he resists them and fights back. 

This is one of the most notable international casino-related crimes since a Singaporean casino dealer used sleight-of-hand techniques to steal casino chips. 

How Did This Unfold?

Those who assaulted Heath and attempted to put him in a van posed as decorators working in a hallway of his apartment block in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. 

Authorities in the area believed this plan unfolded over months. They studied Heath’s movement and secretly installed a tracking device on his car. 

The criminals rented a sauna house on Airbnb in Voose, about an hour away. 

This is believed to be where they planned to take Heath as they kidnapped him. 

Suspect Appeared in Court

After the abduction attempt, the suspects involved fled.

When police arrived, they found documents and other items related to the kidnapping in the van. Among those items was a passport belonging to a resident of the country of Georgia, Ilgar Mamedov. 

Mamedov appeared in court in Tallinn this week after being extradited from Lithuania last month. Lithuanian authorities held Mamedov in a refugee camp because of a lack of documentation. 

Mamedov denied knowing about the abduction attempt. He said he met some men willing to drive him to Poland. 

The motive, per prosecutor Lauri Jogi, was for financial gain. 

The Bombay Club

This attempted abduction came just before Heath was set to open his $100 million casino hotel for high rollers, the Bombay Club. This is located on the same street as his apartment in Tallinn. 

The Bombay Club is self-described as a “luxurious labyrinth of bespoke gaming salons, artisan cocktail bars, gourmet restaurants, opulent lounges, hidden private rooms, and a historic wine and cigar cellar” while also telling prospective members to “come and fulfill your deepest desires, at every level.”