Ex-Winnipegger in Internet gambling business slain on Puerto Rico Street

Bruce Owen, Winnipeg Free Press, Tuesday, September 27, 2005 (Page B1)


A former Winnipeg man was stabbed to death on a busy San Juan, Puerto Rico street last Thursday in a killing some believe is expected to his involvement in the high-stake world of Internet gambling. 

Friends and business associates confirmed yesterday that Adam Anhang, son of former Winnipeg lawyer Abraham Anhang, was killed on a street corner in historic San Juan not far from his office. 

"He was exceptionally bright," family friend and prominent Winnipeg lawyer Paul Walsh said yesterday.  "He had a delightful personality and a wonderful sense of humour."

"He didn't have what anyone would perceive as a mean bone in his body.  He was competitive in business, but he never made an enemy.  Everyone is just shocked beyond belief."

Anhang, 32, was living in Puerto Rico to be closer to his work in developing a resort in the Caribbean, Walsh said.

"He said he was commuting too much and spending more time on airplanes, so he gave up his residence in Manhattan to develop his business interests."

Anhang was a part owner in Martineau Bay Resort & Spa in Vieques, about 13 kilometers off the east coast of Puerto Rico, according to an online report on www.gambling911.com. 

The online gaming website also said Anhang's other interests included online casino businesses, something which friends fear may have been behind his slaying.  "It looks like it was a contract hit," said a family friend, who did not want to be named. 

The slight, bookish Anhang, who graduated from the former Joseph Wolinsky Collegiate in Winnipeg's West Kildonan about 16 years ago, was chief executive office of CWC Gaming. 

Its website (www.cwcgaming.com) says the company is involved in the lucrative webcam, casino industry.  It licensees live webcam casino software that broadcasts live dealers playing real casino games in real time.  Online players can also chat with dealers in real time using text chat, and dealers respond using real-time audio streaming. 

The website www.gambling911.com also said Anhang was former chief financial officer of the Antigua-based Dr. Ho Casino, the online arm of Asian multi-billionaire Stanley Ho's casino empire. 

Ho's website (www.drho888.com) describes Ho as the 151th richest man in the world and the most successful casino operating in Asia for the past 40 years.  It also says he's survived a pirate attack and numerous threats against his life. 

In its report Sunday, www.gambling911.com said Anhang was walking with his 25-year old wife, Aurca Vazquez Rijos, to her car, "when they were intercepted by a subject dressed in workout apparel who then inflicted Anhang with several stab wounds using a kitchen knife."

Anhang was reportedly stabbed three times with a butcher knife in his head, once in the left side of his back, twice on the left side of his neck and in the chin, lips and stomach. 

His wife was stabbed in her head, but survived and gave a statement to Puerto Rico police.  Police are now looking for her. 

The site also said Anhang's personal possessions, his wallet, cash, credit cards, passport and cell phone were not stolen.

It was Anhang's second marriage. 

Anhang's family in Winnipeg plans to hold a funeral tomorrow.  They declined comment yesterday. 

They said Anhang left Winnipeg shortly after high school graduation to go to the Yeshiva University in New York City.  He then went to the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. 

School friend Adam Levin said that as a young boy and teen, Anhang was more interested in the stock market and business world, as well as his Jewish faith, than anything else. 

"Adam was a fairly religious guy," another friend said.  "This is pretty much a shock.  He was a pretty quiet and serious person."

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Originally Published Bruce Owen, Winnipeg Free Press

Tuesday, September 27, 2005