International Kidnapping as a Business
Summary: 5 pages. 7 sources. APA format.
International kidnappings are on the rise and have become one of the fastest growing industries ' in the world. This paper looks at kidnapping as a thriving business.
International Kidnapping as a Business
Introduction
The kidnapping and ransom of individuals for profit has dramatically increased in the past decade throughout the world. While the majority of victims are wealthy businessmen, more recently, the average tourist has become a target for kidnappers looking for monetary and material gain. In recent years, kidnappers have also become more organized and are demanding more money for the safe return of hostages.
Why has international kidnapping been on the increase? The simple answer is because it has become an extremely profitable form of business transaction for the kidnappers. This paper analyzes and scrutinizes international kidnapping as a thriving business.
The Business of Kidnapping
Kidnappings around the world have typically had one of two major goals: publicity for a local political cause or as a form of fund-raising ' for the kidnappers. Recently, kidnappings for political reasons have been on the decrease, whereas kidnapping for profit has seen a dramatic increase.
A prime example of this trend is in Colombia. According to writer David Williams, Colombia is considered to be the kidnapping capital of the world, with rival guerrilla and paramilitary groups consistently abducting civilians - including businessmen, tourists and aid workers (2001, para.1). The ransom money obtained from these activities is used primarily to finance a 37-year civil war in Colombia (Williams, 2001, para.1).
The U.S. State Department estimates that more than 3,000 people are kidnapped in Colombia each year (Williams, 2001, para.2). Most kidnap victims are Colombians who are either wealthy or who can at least come up with a few thousand dollars. And, according to Williams, although the kidnappings are
International kidnappings are on the rise and have become one of the fastest growing industries ' in the world. This paper looks at kidnapping as a thriving business.
International Kidnapping as a Business
Introduction
The kidnapping and ransom of individuals for profit has dramatically increased in the past decade throughout the world. While the majority of victims are wealthy businessmen, more recently, the average tourist has become a target for kidnappers looking for monetary and material gain. In recent years, kidnappers have also become more organized and are demanding more money for the safe return of hostages.
Why has international kidnapping been on the increase? The simple answer is because it has become an extremely profitable form of business transaction for the kidnappers. This paper analyzes and scrutinizes international kidnapping as a thriving business.
The Business of Kidnapping
Kidnappings around the world have typically had one of two major goals: publicity for a local political cause or as a form of fund-raising ' for the kidnappers. Recently, kidnappings for political reasons have been on the decrease, whereas kidnapping for profit has seen a dramatic increase.
A prime example of this trend is in Colombia. According to writer David Williams, Colombia is considered to be the kidnapping capital of the world, with rival guerrilla and paramilitary groups consistently abducting civilians - including businessmen, tourists and aid workers (2001, para.1). The ransom money obtained from these activities is used primarily to finance a 37-year civil war in Colombia (Williams, 2001, para.1).
The U.S. State Department estimates that more than 3,000 people are kidnapped in Colombia each year (Williams, 2001, para.2). Most kidnap victims are Colombians who are either wealthy or who can at least come up with a few thousand dollars. And, according to Williams, although the kidnappings are
Bibliography: Auerbach, A. H., (1998). Ransom – The Untold Story of International Kidnapping Clancy, C. (2001). Kidnapping businesspeople has become big business May 22, 2003, from http://www.cyberhaven.com/offshorelibrary/expatriation.html Fielding Worldwide, Inc Insurance. Retrieved May 22, 2003, from http://www.comebackalive.com/df/kidnapp/kdnapins.htm Hargrove, T Wall, T. (February 26, 1997). The Kidnap Business. Salon.com. Retrieved May 22, 2003, from http://www.salon.com/feb97/news/news2970226.html Williams, D. (May 7, 2001). Kidnapping is Big Business in Colombia