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 Billion-Dollar Kidnappings: How Asia’s Richest Man Was Targeted Twice — and Gave His Captor Financial Advice
Meta Description: Discover the unbelievable true story of the criminal who kidnapped Asia’s wealthiest tycoon’s son for $134M, then kidnapped the father — and asked for investment advice.
Introduction: A Crime Saga Straight Out of a Movie
Imagine a criminal so brazen, he kidnapped the son of Asia’s richest man, secured a $134 million ransom, then kidnapped the father months later. But the plot thickens: During the second kidnapping, the victim reportedly gave his captor financial advice on how to invest the stolen fortune. This isn’t fiction — it’s the shocking true story of Cheung Tze-keung, Hong Kong’s “Big Spender,” and his twisted pursuit of wealth at any cost.
Part 1: The Record-Shattering Kidnapping of Victor Li
In 1996, Victor Li, son of Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing (then Asia’s richest man), was abducted at gunpoint by Cheung’s gang. The crime was meticulously planned:
— The Snatch: Masked assailants intercepted Li’s Mercedes, threatening his driver with grenades.
— The Demand: Cheung personally called Li Ka-shing, demanding HK$1.038 billion ($134M USD) — the largest ransom in history at the time.
— The Payout: Li Ka-shing negotiated calmly, paying the ransom in cash within 48 hours. Victor was released unharmed — and Cheung vanished.
Why Li Ka-shing Didn’t Go to Police: Fearing backlash, Li kept the kidnapping secret for years. His pragmatism (“Losing money is better than losing a son”) stunned Hong Kong.
Part 2: Cheung’s Second Act: Kidnapping the Father-for-Advice
Flush with cash, Cheung grew reckless. Months later, he targeted Walter Kwok, billionaire chairman of Sun Hung Kai Properties. But this kidnapping took a surreal turn:
— The Unlikely Mentor: While holding Kwok hostage, Cheung obsessed over hiding his ransom money. Kwok, a financial genius, advised him to invest in stocks and blue-chip bonds to launder the cash.
— The Bizarre Trust: Kwok’s counsel was strategic — safeguarding his own life — but Cheung allegedly took the advice seriously. He even gifted Kwok HK$60 million ($7.7M) as a twisted “thank you.”
Part 3: Cheung’s Downfall: Greed vs. Justice
Cheung’s audacity became his undoing:
— The Mistake: He tried depositing ransom cash into Li Ka-shing’s bank account, triggering alerts.
— The Arrest: Chinese authorities captured him in 1998. His trial revealed 8+ major crimes, including bombings and arms trafficking.
— The End: Cheung was executed by firing squad in Guangzhou in 1998. Li Ka-shing publicly forgave him — but tightened security for his family.
Part 4: The Legacy of the “King of Kidnappers”
This saga reshaped Asia’s elite:
🔒 Security Overhaul: Billionaires hired ex-commandos, installed panic rooms, and armored vehicles.
💰 Ransom Realities: Experts cite this case to warn against paying ransoms — but families often prioritize safety over protocol.
🎥 Pop Culture Impact: Films like Operation Billionaires (2016) dramatized Cheung’s life, cementing his infamy.
Conclusion: Crime, Power, and the Psychology of Greed
Cheung Tze-keung’s story blurs the lines between villainy and desperation. His crimes exposed the vulnerability of even the ultra-wealthy — but also the absurdity of seeking wisdom from a victim. As Walter Kwok later stated: “Advising my kidnapper was about survival. But greed always loses.”
For tycoons like Li Ka-shing, this ordeal became a dark lesson: No fortune can buy absolute safety, but shrewdness — and family — are priceless.
Keywords for SEO: Largest ransom in history, Li Ka-shing kidnapped son, Victor Li kidnapping, Walter Kwok investment advice, Cheung Tze-keung crimes, Hong Kong billionaire kidnappings, Asia’s richest man security.
(Note: For optimal SEO, pair this article with images like Li Ka-shing’s 1990s photos, Hong Kong skyline, or film stills from Operation Billionaires, using alt tags like “Li Ka-shing son kidnapping” or “Cheung Tze-keung arrest.”)
