This guy right here once kidnapped the son of the richest man in Asia and ransomed him for more than 100 million dollars. But later, he would go on to kidnap the father as well and even ask him for advice on how to invest.
Title: The Unbelievable Crime Saga: How a Kidnapper Targeted Asia’s Richest Man—Twice—and Asked for Investment Advice
Meta Description: Discover the jaw-dropping story of the criminal who kidnapped Asia’s wealthiest tycoon’s heir for $165M, then targeted the billionaire himself—and even sought his investment tips.
The Billion-Dollar Kidnapping That Stunned Asia
In 1996, a brazen criminal mastermind pulled off one of history’s most audacious crimes: he kidnapped Victor Li, son of Li Ka-shing, Asia’s richest man, and walked away with a ransom worth $165 million USD. But the story doesn’t end there. In a shocking twist, the kidnapper later plotted to abduct Li Ka-shing himself—and even asked the billionaire for financial advice.
This is the stranger-than-fiction tale of Hong Kong’s most infamous kidnapper, Zhang Zijiang (张子强), and his twisted relationship with Asia’s wealthiest dynasty.
The Target: Asia’s Richest Family
Li Ka-shing, founder of Cheung Kong Holdings, had long been a symbol of Hong Kong’s economic might, with a net worth exceeding $30 billion by the 1990s. His eldest son, Victor Li, was the heir apparent to his empire—and an irresistible target for criminals.
Enter Zhang Zijiang, a notorious gangster nicknamed “Big Spender” for his ruthless high-stakes crimes. Zhang had already made headlines for robbing armored vans of $40 million, but he had bigger ambitions: orchestrating the largest ransom kidnapping in Asian history.
The Heist: Abducting the Heir
On May 23, 1996, Zhang and his gang ambushed Victor Li’s Mercedes-Benz as he drove home in Hong Kong. In a meticulously planned operation, they:
- Held Victor hostage for 24 hours in an underground bunker.
- Demanded 1.38 billion HKD ($165 million USD)—a sum Li Ka-shing paid within days (reportedly bundled in rice sacks).
- Escaped prosecution due to lack of evidence, as Victor never testified.
But Zhang wasn’t finished.
The Bizarre Twist: Kidnapper Seeks Investment Tips
Zhang didn’t just want ransom money—he wanted to grow it. After laundering the funds, he allegedly called Li Ka-shing to ask for advice on investing in stocks, real estate, and foreign currencies.
According to Hong Kong crime investigators, the billionaire reportedly gave him a sobering warning:
“You won’t be able to keep this fortune. This money is cursed.”
Zhang ignored him. He splurged on luxury cars and property but lost heavily in speculative trades. Within months, he was plotting an even wilder scheme.
The Double Down: Plotting to Kidnap the Billionaire Himself
In 1997, Zhang devised a plan to abduct Li Ka-shing at his Hong Kong office. But this time, police intercepted the plot. Zhang fled to mainland China, where authorities arrested him.
His downfall was swift:
- Confessed to Victor’s kidnapping and a second plot.
- Executed by firing squad in Guangdong in 1998.
- $165 million ransom was never fully recovered.
The Aftermath: A Legacy of Infamy
Zhang’s crimes exposed glaring vulnerabilities in Hong Kong’s security for the ultra-rich. In response, tycoons like Li Ka-shing hired elite private armies, installed panic rooms, and equipped family members with GPS trackers.
Meanwhile, Zhang entered criminal folklore as a cautionary tale of greed. His life inspired films (Operation Megacity) and documentaries, while Li Ka-shing’s empire grew stronger—proving resilience trumps ruthlessness.
Final Takeaway: Truth Stranger Than Fiction
From a record ransom to an absurd investment consultation, Zhang Zijiang’s story blurs the line between crime and insanity. His downfall reminds us: even criminals can’t outrun karma.
Craving more mind-blowing crime sagas? Follow this space for shocking stories where power, money, and audacity collide.
Keywords: Li Ka-shing kidnapping, Victor Li ransom, Zhang Zijiang, largest ransom in history, Hong Kong billionaire crime, kidnapper investment advice, Asia’s richest man, Cheung Kong Holdings.
