Cor van Hout was a Dutch criminal known for his involvement in organized crime during the late 20th century. He gained notoriety as a member of the Heineken kidnapping, where he and his accomplices abducted the beer magnate Freddy Heineken in 1983. This high-profile crime captured significant media attention in the Netherlands. After serving time in prison, van Hout continued his criminal activities, including drug trafficking and extortion. He was eventually murdered in 2003, which was believed to be linked to ongoing gang rivalries. His life and actions have been the subject of various discussions about crime in the Netherlands.