Michigan Men Charged in Violent Las Vegas Hotel Kidnapping

Three men from Michigan are facing numerous charges following the alleged violent kidnapping of a man at a Las Vegas hotel. According to reports, this incident is related to gambling debts.

Issa Hamade, Ahmad Harb, both 32, and Sobhi Sobh, 33, were apprehended on Wednesday. The charges include first-degree kidnapping, extortion, conspiracy, battery with intent to cause harm, robbery or grand larceny, and coercion using force or threats, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.

During a court session in Clark County, Hamade was mentioned as a dentist from Dearborn, Michigan. Harb is employed as a disc jockey, while Sobh works as a physical therapist.

Authorities allege the trio lured Naved Azim, who resides in New York, to a room at the MGM Grand on the Las Vegas Strip. This information comes from a report by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, as cited by the newspaper.

Azim was reportedly assaulted, strangled, suffocated using a pillow, gagged, and confined in a closet. The men demanded $185,000 from Azim’s father to settle gambling debts owed to Harb. However, Harb later informed investigators that he was owed $325,000.

A brief video call reportedly showed Azim’s father his son, who was severely beaten and on his knees. “Listen, your son scammed me of 185K in fake sports bets. I want my money, period,” a message from the perpetrators stated, according to police.

The report noted that the men began documenting locations, contact details, and addresses of Azim’s family and friends. They threatened harm if Azim failed to repay the debt.

At a court hearing, Hamade’s attorney, Michael Troiano, described his client as an upstanding citizen. Troiano claimed Azim was involved in what he deemed a fraudulent gambling scheme.

Ryan Helmick, Sobh’s attorney, highlighted the need to uncover more facts in the case. A Clark County public defender’s office representative noted Harb’s clean criminal record.

Fox News Digital sought comments from the LVMPD, as well as legal representatives for Hamade and Sobh, and the Clark County public defender’s office.

Azim informed authorities he engaged in sports betting through a “promoter/bookie” leading to his involvement with Harb. Harb once requested Azim place a $2,300 bet on a New York Knicks game, which had the potential for a $20,000 return.

Azim admitted to police that he did not place the bet but instead created a fake betting ticket to mislead Harb. Harb was unaware and continued placing bets through Azim, who lacked funds for these wagers. Harb assumed he accumulated $100,000 in winning bets.

“Naved believed that Harb would eventually lose a bet which would help cover up his lie of placing the bets; however, that did not happen,” police report stated.

All suspects received $100,000 bail each and were ordered to avoid contact with Azim.