Published on: March 16, 2026, 07:49h.
Updated on: March 16, 2026, 07:49h.
- Collapse of Australian betting syndicate leaves creditors $1.5 million short
- Founder reportedly abducted by Alameddine crime group over gambling debts
- Liquidators uncover less than $1,000 in the defunct betting enterprise
An Australian betting syndicate has collapsed, leaving creditors in the lurch for approximately $1.5 million, following the reported kidnapping of its founder by members of one of the country’s most infamous organized crime syndicates.
Creditors of handicapper Tyler Roberts’ Worldwide Sporting Investments (WSI) have compelled the company into liquidation, asserting they are owed nearly $1.5 million. Court documents acquired by Australia’s Daily Telegraph indicate that WSI currently holds less than $1,000 in its accounts.
Roberts operated a sports betting investment syndicate, gathering funds from various investors to place wagers through online bookmakers.
However, some disgruntled alleged “investors” chose to take matters into their own hands. In April 2025, Roberts, 28, along with his girlfriend, social media influencer and bikini model Mariah Burr-McLean, fell victim to a kidnapping orchestrated by suspected members of the Alameddine crime family, one of Sydney’s leading drug-trafficking organizations.
Kidnapping Incident Details
As reported by Queensland Police, the couple was abducted around midnight on April 10, 2025, when seven men surrounded their white Range Rover as they arrived at their home in the Sunshine Coast suburb of Birtinya.
The victims were taken to a nearby vacation resort, where the assailants bizarrely ordered gnocchi for them while threatening to sever Roberts’ fingers if he could not pay the $2.5 million he allegedly owed.
Roberts later revealed to authorities that he feared for his life but believed the assailants refrained from acting violently due to his girlfriend’s presence.
By 7:30 PM the following day, five of the kidnappers had left the unit, leaving two behind to guard the couple. Upon arrival, the police arrested the two remaining men, leading to the apprehension of the entire group. All seven individuals faced charges of deprivation of liberty and extortion.
Financial Fallout
Prosecutors assert that Roberts met with representatives from the Alameddine group in January 2023, convincing them to invest roughly $3.1 million into his betting operations. He claims that a previous business partner absconded with the funds.
Meanwhile, three identified creditors, unrelated to the kidnapping, are attempting to recover a total of $1.28 million through conventional means. Additionally, several unsecured creditors allege they are owed a further $871,000.
This week, liquidators stated that the company appears to lack adequate assets to repay any creditors, though they remain in the process of determining if any recoverable resources exist.