The New Wave of Kidnapping



From the Arena blog

In countries like China, India and South Korea the number of ‘high net worth individuals’ is rising at a rate of around 20% a year. With liquid assets of at least $1m each, their wealth is also helping to fuel a global rise in kidnapping. Insured against this possibility by concerned employers, kidnappers are more sure than ever that they’ll be getting paid.

So are you at risk in the UK? According to the police there are around 60 kidnaps per year in London, with around 70% of these involving criminals targeting each other usually over debts, personal disputes or issues of ‘respect’. Rarer cases target the children or wealthy parents.

“Kidnapping isn’t a major issue in London,” says a spokesperson for the Met. “It’s mostly centred on those who are breaking the law already.” But if you are snatched, it won’t be pleasant. “Even though the grievances would seem quite minor to normal people, there is often a very high level of violence, including torture, employed by the kidnappers.”

But if you’re travelling the world, especially Asia, you’re much more at risk. Here Leslie Edwards from security specialists Clayton Consulting details who’s taking who hostage – and why.

THE NIGER DELTA
Kidnappers: The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND)
Targets: Foreign oil workers, western businessmen

Despite promises from both government and oil companies, very little of the vast amounts of cash generated by oil drilling in the Niger Delta ever comes back to the local community where people still live on $2 a day. Through the kidnapping of foreign workers (223 in 2007, including 26 Britons, one of whom was killed), MEND raise publicity to their cause and don’t ask for ransoms. But their notoriety has led to the rise of more militant groups and criminal gangs who use kidnapping as a way of making money with no qualms about murdering their hostages.

Average ransom: From nothing at all to thousands of dollars depending on victim.
Danger level to westerners: 4/5

GUANGZHOU, CHINA
Kidnappers: Highly organised criminal gangs
Target: Children, young women, businessmen

In 2004, 3,863 kidnaps were reported in the China, but unofficial estimates for the last year put the figure at around 70,000. There are two sorts of kidnap. The first targets young women and boys; the former for slave labour, the latter as ‘sons’ for couples desperate for male offspring. There’s no ransom here as the kidnappers are rewarded by their clients. Secondly, there’s the targeting of rich Taiwanese and Hong Kong businessmen who attract large amounts in ransom money. Westerners have yet to be targeted but it’s only matter of time.

Ransom: The average paid by companies for the return of their staff is around $100,000, but last year one company paid out $120m for the release of one man. In ‘express kidnaps’ victims are taken to various ATMs until their accounts are empty.
Danger level to westerners: 2/5

NORTH EAST INDIA
Kidnappers: Various political groups, gangsters, amateurs
Targets: Professionals, politicians

Groups like the United Liberation Front of Assam use kidnapping as a way to raise publicity and cash for their cause of independence while jihadists are involved in similar activities in Kashmir. The growth of India’s vast IT workforce means there are plenty of potential targets – often the groups will take a child, leaving the head of the family to sort out the finance. Some of these are carried out in the big cities by local crime gangs, and there are thousands every year.

Ransom: Political groups will demands very large sums of money ($1m+), lower for less high ranking individuals. They are not afraid to murder their hostages if a settlement is not reached.
Danger level to westerners: 2/5, but growing

MEXICO CITY
Kidnappers: Mexico City criminal gangs
Targets: Businessmen, criminals, public figures

Acting purely in self interest the gangs of Mexico City are both methodical in their preparation and brutal in their execution. Gangs will put surveillance on several targets at a time, before deciding on the most suitable. Often dressing as policemen, the gangs will employ six or seven men and up to three cars in the operation to make sure it goes smoothly. With police corruption endemic, these operations are often successful. And if they’re not, brutal killing follows.

Ransom: From a few thousand dollars to $500,000
Danger level to westerners: 3/5, especially near US border

Clayton Consultants retain the largest team of experienced specialist kidnap consultants worldwide.

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