Job Discussion Forums

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Kidnappings here in Peru usually happen to politicians and rich people, but everyone should be alert. Here are two ploys that have been used on me recently, so just be aware.

In October, I was downtown in a nice area looking for flights in travel agencies. As I left one another woman left after me. When we were outside she asked if I was looking for flights. I said yes. She said she worked for a travel agency. I asked for her card. She didn't have one with her. She then offered to take me to the travel agency in a taxi. I said thanks and walked away. Don't get into taxis with unknown people, no matter what they tell you.

The second happened to me yesterday. I got a call from some at my bank. She said that they were having a breakfast in order to ask me my opinion about the bank. She wanted to get info from me, such as where I lived, what I did, etc. Don't give out info over the phone. Even if they say that they are from a place where you have accounts. If it's true, they should have your information, there's no reason why they need to ask for it. She told me that the breakfast was free and a taxi would be provided. Just like the first situation, don't get into taxis with people you don't know. I then called the bank. They said they there was no breakfast. What happens is that people inside the bank or company sell info to others, that's how they know you're a customer there.

These are just some of the ploys, I'm sure they're are more. Overall I feel safe here. Just always be wary. And in my opinion, public transport is safer than taxis.

Sabine11 · Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2007 12:49 am Post subject:

Very good to know.

I'm surprised this stuff would happen in Peru, I would have expected this mainly in Colombia..

Luckily this hasen't happened here in Buenos Aires, things are pretty quiet here..

Best to you,

Sabine.

nineisone · Joined: 23 Jun 2006 Posts: 187

I heard and read of stories of this kind of stuff happening in Peru. Primarily these were kidnappings intended to extract all your possessions from you and then release you as oppossed to the drag you into the mountains/jungles and detain you until ransom is paid, ala Colombia.

A quick comment on Colombia which anyone can feel fine correcting me on, but everything I have discussed with those that lived in or traveled through that wonderful country suggests that almost all kidnappings are of other Colombians, especially political or media figures. The only gringos usually kidnapped are oil workers or other businessmen on commercial ventures in rural areas.

lozwich · Joined: 25 May 2003 Posts: 1536

No, we have both types here.

Nineisone is right about long-term kidnappings, but there is also this thing called the millionaire's run, where you get into a cab, other people jump in and overwhelm you by whacking you in the face or whatever and then take you to an ATM and make you empty your account. Some people get held for a while until their bank is empty, by taking out the full amount allowed every day, but others just have to empty the full day's amount and get let go. This can happen to anyone.

Some people are victims of this drug called burundanga which keeps you conscious but removes all your free will. It is generally blown into people's faces or given on a cigarette or in a drink. You go with your kidnappers, give them all your money and then 2 days later when you come to, you have to find a nice person to help you get home.

There was some blab in the paper recently about how kidnappings have reduced from 7 a day to 2 a day, but they didn't really talk about where their research was coming from. I have also heard that Mexico City is currently more dangerous than lots of parts of Colombia. Apart from being careful, it falls under the "but for the grace of God go I" category as far as I'm concerned.

nineisone · Joined: 23 Jun 2006 Posts: 187

I'm reading that the bigger cities of Brazil(especially Sao Paulo) are having greater occurences of kidnappings than Colombia. Mexico City is another behemoth (18 million and growing.....) All that desperation pouring in from the countryside will lead to upturns of all kinds.

Thanks for the follow up lozwich. Distressing to note that this activity continues on..........

Tiger Beer · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Posts: 778 Location: Hong Kong

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

In Mexico, such 'express kidnappings' as they're called tend to be local and not with foreigners, except up in the border areas. Express kidnappings are as Loz describes, with a taxi and a tour of local ATMs, so are acts of armed robbery. The federal government in Mexico applies kidnapping charges to extract the strongest possible sentence...40 or 50 years in jail I think.

One hears of the long term kidnappings usually when there is someone famous involved.