Venezuela: An American woman and her
children are abducted from their residence in Campitos, Caracas. The victim,
the wife of a business executive, is forced to withdraw money from a local
bank before being released. The U.S. Embassy advises that this type of
"express kidnapping" is on the rise and that Americans, although
not specifically targeted, should take proper security precautions to
avoid this type of crime.
Russia: Men posing as police officers kidnapped a Norwegian
businessman on a city street in Moscow. The men likely had their target
under surveillance for some time, explaining why they were able to abduct
him in public. After making a ransom drop of $ 200,000, security forces
freed the victim and the police apprehended the kidnappers.
Yemen: Yemeni tribesmen kidnap an American oil worker.
It is common for Yemeni tribesmen to kidnap foreigners as leverage against
the Yemeni government for more land. After being held two weeks by some
tribesmen in the eastern Marib province, the tribesmen terms are met and
the victim is released unharmed.
Colombia: Rebels kidnap 92 contract employees of U.S.
owned petroleum company. All but 19 are released. Police attribute
the mass kidnappings to the leftist National Liberation Army, or ELN,
Colombia's second largest rebel army.
Kidnap, Extortion and Detention
Loss Examples