Express Kidnapping: The New Form of Unlawful Imprisonment

Express kidnapping is a new method of criminalsimply held for a few hours and made, under threat, to
restraint used by bands of sicarios in the service ofwithdraw money from ATMs. The kidnappers also rob
mafia networks. In express kidnappings, the victimvehicles – later abandoning them - and other articles
remains only a few hours in the hands of his or herof value.
captors. Generally, the kidnappings are executed byWithout a doubt, the massive proliferation of credit
small groups of delinquents, composed of two or threecards is one of the biggest factors in growth of this
individuals, who hold the victim captive for no longertype of criminal activity. No longer able to instantly steal
than 48 hours. This is because they lack thecash, criminals have opted to detain victims some
infrastructure necessary for carrying out traditionalhours, convincing them to withdraw money directly
kidnappings. The most alarming thing about expressfrom ATMs in order to earn immediate release.
kidnapping is the profile of the potential victim; no longerIn Latin America, criminals who commit this type of
are the wealthy the sole targets, but also the middlecrime are usually under the age of 25 and have
class.criminal records. They are repeat offenders, petty
For some time, express kidnapping has been gainingthieves, and in many cases they already know the
popularity among organized gangs because itvictim or have obtained information about him or her
doesn’t require a large infrastructure. Thisthrough acquaintances, neighbors, or prior investigation.
kidnapping technique, born in Latin America, permitsExpress Kidnapping has lost no time in being
criminals to act in reduced groups and almost alwayssuccessfully imported to Spain, where it’s wreaking
take away considerable loot. Proof of its efficiencyhavoc. What has changed is the profile of the
are police statistics showing that in 2006, in Madridperpetrators. In Spain, it’s usually professional
alone there occurred one express kidnapping everycriminals; it’s gone from petty thieves to sicarios
two days.with links to the mafia.
Although there does exist a minimum of premeditation,The attackers are usually South American and well
criminals choose their victims almost at random. Anyacquainted with the crime’s success in their home
indicator of buying power, such as an upscale auto,countries. The jeweler Fermín Larrainzar was victim
jewelry or latest generation cellular phone, can becomeof one of the most notorious cases, in which a group
fateful criteria for being chosen as a victim.of nine Columbian assailants managed to steal money
Those who perpetrate this type of attack usuallyand jewels with an estimated value of 3 million euros.
operate in groups of two or three, generally workingAntecedents in Spain
out of a vehicle. They aren’t after much more thanAnother of Spain’s most shocking cases was that
to make a quick buck, less than they would be able toof Fructuoso López , owner of the famous
in a traditional, large-scale kidnapping. The swiftness ofsportswear brand Joma. The house of the prosperous
the crime is the key to its popularity and practice in thebusiness magnet, located in the small town of Portillo,
criminal world.Toledo, was the target of a surprise attack by four
Modus Operandimasked delinquents. They couldn’t find Fructuoso
The modus operandi of the kidnappers is very simple:but they did rob a small amount of money, and upon
first they approach the victim, in the street or at theirdiscovering the man was not home yet, abducted his
business; they take them in their car, or the victim’s.wife, daughter and a family employee. They freed
Then they obligate them to withdraw money from anthem a few hours later, after withdrawing large sums
ATM, take their belongings, and intimidate them withof money from ATMs and taking the car of
blows and threats. They steal the victim’s personalLópez’s wife.
identification and quickly contact their family to demandExpress kidnapping is not only for criminals with purely
the payment of a ransom within a few hours, or ateconomic interests. Terrorist organizations like ETA
most a couple of days. They always make it clearhave also have had great success using this method,
that the victim’s safety depends on there being noin imitation of the Columbian FARCs, who have been
police intervention.doing it for some time.
Not having the infrastructure to detain victims forETA got away with 700,000 euros in the express
longer than 48 hours, express kidnappers usually askkidnapping of three Navarian businessmen in 2002,
for relatively small quantities of money. It’saccording to documents obtained from terrorist Ibón
calculated that the sum they generally end upFernández Iradí, alias “Susper”. The terrorist
receiving, following negotiations with the family, rarelygroup GRAPO also attempted, unsuccessfully, an
exceeds 15,000 euros.express kidnapping in Zaragoza which left Ana Isabel
OriginsHerrero dead.
Secuestro Express Express kidnapping has its originsThis method doesn’t cease to be surprising, as
in Latin America, especially in countries like Colombia,anyone can be a potential victim. You don’t have
Venezuela, Mexico and Argentina. Gangs ofto be a millionaire, or even close to it, to be picked as a
delinquents, often sicarios working “overtime,”target. Even so, don’t forget that what these
started out using a similar modus operandi, Kidnappingcriminals are most interested in is not harming you, but
and Robbery. The latter differs from Expressgetting what they need as quickly as possible.
Kidnapping in that there is no negotiation; the victim is