The Anatomy Of A Kidnapping – A Brand new course on Udemy Following on from the success of The Ransom Drop, and How To Deliver A Ransom, there is now a full interactive online course available on Udemy. It’s titled ‘The Anatomy Of A Kidnapping’. In 2025 I was invited to a leading British university […]
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A case where paying worked Have you ever had to ask yourself, ‘Should I pay a ransom?’ Years ago, I was involved in a case that still sits with me. A ship, with twenty four crew members and a valuable cargo was highjacked by Somali pirates while transiting the Indian Ocean. It was a classic,
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This month, let’s take a look at Kidnap for Extortion. It’s surprisingly common, and always complex. The victims don’t have to be wealthy, and frequently aren’t, but they can quickly find themselves in the middle of international politics or disagreements. The impact on their reputation as a result of the media spotlight is lifelong. What
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Illegal Detention and Kidnap for Extortion, a blog article by Rob Phayre There has been a surge recently in kidnap for extortion by nation states. Under some definitions, those kidnaps might be called illegal detentions. But, its not always illegal under their local laws. Hostile foreign states can manipulate their laws to achieve their political
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In this article we discuss how to avoid being kidnapped on business travel. Just in case you missed it, last weeks article focussed on how to avoid being kidnapped at home, and its available here. If you work for a company that regularly sends you to far-flung and interesting places, you should ask them what
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In this article we will explore the concept of Proof of Life. What is it, when is it used, and how do you prepare proof of life questions if you are at risk of being kidnapped for ransom. What is Proof of Life? Proof of Life, or POL as it is sometimes shortened to is
Ransom payments in a kidnap for ransom situation are complex and fraught with risk. Understanding the nuances of such payments is crucial for ensuring the safe return of hostages. You should get professional advice if you are having to manage a kidnap for ransom situation. You can find more information about that here. When Should
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A brief guide to paying a cyber ransom When You Should Pay a Ransom? Deciding whether to pay a ransom is a complex and contentious issue. Ideally, paying one should be avoided as it can fund criminal activities and encourage further attacks. However, in certain situations, organizations or individuals may find themselves with no viable
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In this article we discuss how to avoid being kidnapped. Without doubt, prevention is much better than the cure, and there are lots of things that an individual can do to keep themselves safe not only from kidnappers, but from other criminals too. In this chapter we explore defensive strategies that you can implement, whether
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We all know the kidnap for ransom business is risky, both for the victims and the kidnappers, but just how risky is it? In this article we will discuss the risk versus reward debate for the kidnap business model. The following text is an excerpt from How To Deliver A Ransom, a true crime, non-fiction
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