Croydon Park gun victim Peter Tan Hoang was $90 million high roller with links to Asian crime syndicates, police believe

PETER Tan Hoang — a $90 million casino high roller with suspected drug links to Asian crime syndicates — named as man shot dead in an inner west street last week.

Peter Tan Hoang, Victim of fatal shooting in Croydon Park

A SYDNEY man gunned down in an inner-city street was one of Australia’s biggest punters, gambling $90 million at casinos across the country in recent years.

Peter Hoang had also won Tattslotto twice.

But his luck ran out on Sunday morning when he was shot several times.

Victim ... Peter Tan Hoang. Photo: Police Media.

Melbourne’s Crown Casino where Tan Hoang gambled

He was found dead in Dunmore St, Croydon, about 1.30am. He was last seen near a nearby fast-food restaurant, possibly where he met his killer or killers.

A known crime figure, who also used the name Peter Minh Nguyen, Hoang was living in a city apartment at the time he was murdered.

“We are looking into his lifestyle but he was a known gambler who appeared to ­be living the high life,’’ Ashfield crime manager Detective ­Inspector Nick Read said.

Police at the scene.

“We have not been able to find any next of kin and we would like anyone who knows him or may have seen something on Sunday morning to come forward.”

Police are keen to talk to the driver of a silver hatchback with a rear spoiler seen near the corner of Georges River Rd and Dunmore St at the time of the murder.

Hoang, a dual national, appeared in Melbourne Magistrate’s Court earlier this year on charges of dealing with the proceeds of crime.

Forensic officers at the scene.

The Black Nissan Skyline driven to the scene by the victim.

The Vietnamese refugee turned punter won Tatts-Lotto twice last year, and turned over more than $90 million in five years.

A renowned high-roller Hoang, 36, was arrested at Crown Casino carrying $1.495 million in cash in ­October 2012.

An officer carries a large number of paper evidence bags from the crime scene.

The Melbourne Magistrate’s Court heard in April this years he had lost nearly $8 million at Crown in 12 years, even though he had no recorded income.

Police said Hoang had ­received more than $50,000 in government benefits ­between 2001 and 2007, but had not lodged a tax return in the previous 12 years.

“Apart from the gambling he has no legitimate sources of income,” Police Prosecutor Andrew Mr Buckland said.