RICHES TO POVERTY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 5 January 1931, Page 6

RICHES TO POVERTY

AN EGYPTIAN FINANCIER FOUND DEAD IN KITCHEN (United Press Association—By Electrio Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, 3rd January. Mohammed Alasegoff, aged 42 years, an Egyptian financier and once one of the richest men in the world, was found dead in a gas-filled kitchen at Golders Green, along with a cousin, Zainulabdin. Both died in the most extreme poverty. Mohammed, after an education at Cambridge, returned to his home in Singapore. During the latter part of the rubber boom he investd his large inheritance and became a millionaire within a year. He did not know the extent of his own wealth. He was the centre of a distinguished social circle and entertained lavishly. Eventually he turned his attention to the turf and owned palatial stables with picked racehorses from Australia. Alasegoff drove around the city in a magnificent high tandem with a gorgeous liveried Indian footman. He was also among the leaders arranging a welcome to the Prince of Wales at Malaya, and feted every distinguished person visiting Singapore. Alasegoff s troubles began during the rubber slump in 1920-21. He sold out his interests and invested in tin. He was at Hollvwood last year when the tin interests also crashed. Rescuing the merest fraction of his former fabulous fortune he went to Nice and lost every penny at the gambling tables. His cousin had to send the fare to bring him to London.