| A Summary of the Crime, and How to Avoid it. | | | | to an account for the loved one's safe release. The |
| Kidnapping in Latin America, or express kidnapping, | | | | situation can be real but at other times, the "kidnapper" |
| remains a prominent and serious problem in many | | | | is only using the phone to conduct the crime, and the |
| countries from Mexico to Argentina. The popularity of | | | | claimed abductee is never actually abducted or in |
| the crime among criminals first gained popularity in | | | | harm's way. Hence, the fear alone of kidnapping in |
| Colombia and was used in conjuction with operations | | | | Latin America has become a widespread and serious |
| of drug lords, and other extortion and terrorist groups. | | | | problem. |
| With the widespread use among professional drug and | | | | How to avoid this horrible crime? Avoid taking |
| crime families, the practice of kidnapping began to | | | | unregistered taxis, and taxis off the street at night in |
| spread to ordinary street criminals in the hopes of | | | | cities like Mexico City, Bogota, Caracas, Sao Paul, Rio |
| obtaining the same large rewards, at a relatively low | | | | and Buenos Aires. Use safe "sitio" taxis or take taxis |
| cost. The trade then made its way from Colombia to | | | | from restuarants and hotels, whenever possible. Avoid |
| countries like Venezuela, Brazil, Argentina and Mexico. | | | | the green beatle taxis in Mexico City at night. Avoid |
| While the crime has been on the decrease in | | | | wondering the streets of Caracas, Sao Paulo, Rio de |
| Colombia, other countries such as Venezuela, Brazil | | | | Janeiro and Mexico City at night. Dress down, and |
| and Mexico have recently experienced a sizeable | | | | understand the risks of flaunting wealth in the form of |
| increase in cases. Argentina reports of kidnappings | | | | cars, clothing and jewelry in Latin America. By doing so, |
| have remained relatively stable, primarily in and around | | | | you increase your chances of becoming a victim. If |
| Buenos Aires. Peru has also struggled to eliminate the | | | | you receive a call that a loved one has been |
| crime. To date, kidnapping remains a serious threat to | | | | abducted, and the caller requests a ransom, first, |
| Latin America's residents, business persons and | | | | cooperate and inform the caller you are going to get |
| foreign tourists. | | | | the money and make the deposit. Second, hang up the |
| What is kidnapping or express kidnapping? Generally | | | | phone and contact that loved one to confirm that he |
| speaking, individuals of wealth are targeted for | | | | or she has indeed been kidnapped. Lastly, if someone |
| abduction and quick release upon payment. In one | | | | other than a police officer approaches you on the |
| scenario, a victim may be taken from his or her home | | | | street and attempts to force you into a vehicle, or |
| in an affluent neighborhood and kept for months until a | | | | force you to walk in any direction, fight like hell to |
| large ransom can be paid for the victim's release. In | | | | escape and yell for assistance. |
| some cases, body parts, especially ears, may be | | | | If on business or soon to be traveling in Latin America |
| mailed to the abductee's family to terrorize those to | | | | and wish to obtain additional information, contact |
| make payment. Although safe release is the bargain | | | | Cinnamond Global, an international consulting firm |
| made to those who pay ransom, only about 65% are | | | | specializing in Latin America, or Wymoo International |
| actually released unharmed. Some victims are even | | | | for confidential background checks, and Kroll, also for |
| murdered, regardless of the ransom. In an express | | | | advisory and background checks in any of these |
| kidnapping, a tourist or business person may be | | | | countries. For more reading, visit ERRI's page on the |
| approached on the street, forced into a vehicle and | | | | subject. |
| taken to an ATM machine, where he or she is told to | | | | The future of the kidnapping trade depends largely on |
| withdrawal money. These "express" kidnappings | | | | Latin America's ability to fight widespread corruption |
| usually see the victim released without serious injury | | | | among police ranks, and to overhaul its corrupt and |
| upon the withdrawal. | | | | inefficient legal systems. Fixing those problems from |
| As the crime has propagated, the fear itself may be | | | | Mexico to Argentina, however, is no easy solution. |
| used alone. In recent years, victims have received a | | | | While these economies remain in the developing stage, |
| call that a family member has been abducted. The | | | | crime and poverty - and kidnapping - will remain a real |
| victim may even hear the family member crying out | | | | threat. Until the future arrives, exercise extra caution. |
| for help. He or she is then instructed to deposit money | | | | |