Poker Player Escapes Dangerous Scheme

Reports have surfaced regarding 2011 World Series of Poker runner-up Martin Staszko and the plan to kidnap and extort him. The criminals contacted Staszko via the Czech Poker Association offering to hire him for a private home game in France following his $5.43 million win as runner-up to Pius Heinz in the 2011 main event. Police have revealed that crime boss Michael Šváb was the mastermind behind the elaborate plan. He used a fictitious name, 'Robert Keiner', when communicating with Staszko. Staszko did not accept the offer and learned this month the extent of the plan and how he avoided danger b declining the offer. Police made seven arrests in Prague of people involved in at least six similar schemes to kidnap wealthy Czechs and hold them for ransom. It has also been reported that two cases involve the disappearance of victims who have never been found.