Kidnapping of Business Executives

Copyright (c) 2009 Dr Mark Yatesescalated from a perceived threat to an actual threat.
When viewed as a business, kidnap for ransomIn an ideal world the very best time to advise security
continues to out perform many conventional globalclients on counter kidnapping for ransom tactics is
businesses affected by the economic downturn.before the threat has escalated from perceived to
Kidnap for ransom is no longer solely carried out byactual. This allows my counter kidnapping specialist's
unruly and opportunistic criminals in third worldtime to plan and implement suitable advance security
destinations. The business of kidnap for ransom hasprocedures.
exploded and become a major growth area in severalOne of the first security proposals considered is the
geographical regions, and organised crime lords andpurchase, or hire of an armoured vehicle.
terrorist leaders are the new CEO's.Contemporary kidnappers are generally well funded,
Editors Note: Dr. Mark D. Yates The British Americanwell organised, well trained and exceptionally ruthless. In
Security expert has written extensively aboutkidnap for ransom cases, their aim is to secure the
kidnapping incidents during his 20 plus yearsransom at all costs. Unfortunately a kidnap for ransom
involvement in extremely high risk security operations.insurance policy cannot be viewed as a guaranteed
He states; kidnapping for ransom is experiencingrelease policy, as Murphy's Law prevails in the seedy
unprecedented growth, which in part is attributable toworld of kidnap for ransom. This means what can go
the current economic downturn. Just as thousands ofwrong will go wrong. Your K&R policy is a trump card
conventional businesses have had to restructure andand one should never forget that kidnappers have
tap into new markets, so have the organised criminalsfrequently executed their victims.
and terrorists.Kidnapping of business executives for ransom should
The road to riches are definitely paved with gold forbe initially countered in the vein of good security, i.e.
the kidnappers, as many business executives travellingmaintain great access control and you minimise the risk
overseas on business are covered by a kidnap forexponentionally. Attackers will conduct surveillance on
ransom insurance policy which is usually underwrittenyour access control systems and generally opt for a
by Lloyds of London. To provide reinforcement as tosofter target elsewhere. Access control in kidnapping
how fast the kidnap for ransom business is growing,of business executives means, don't get kidnapped in
the Texas Armoring Corporation (TAC), the worldthe first place. Security cynics may well believe I am
leader in lightweight armored passenger vehicles,stating the obvious, however in my 20 plus years of
announced today that requests for bulletproof cars,global security experience in 42 countries, I've learnt
trucks, and SUVs have skyrocketed as a result ofthat very few people studied 'Obvious 1 or Obvious 2'
kidnappings-for-ransom across the globe.at school.
As traditional sources of business finance dry up in theIt is worth mentioning that although there is no such
current credit crunch, criminals and terrorists are utilisingconcept as 100% security, contracting in a security
conventional business marketing strategies to helpexpert of close protection specialist will help to
them grow their businesses, and they are experiencingseriously reduce the risk. A professional security
significant successes. It is too early to predict theconsultant will understand the relevance of purchasing
outcome concerning the latest kidnappings, including thean armoured vehicle specifically built to withstand even
abduction of two French citizens from a hotel inthe most exotic of small arms fire and improvised
Somalia yesterday. Early indications identified the twoexplosive attacks. He or she will also understand the
as businessmen, although it was later alleged theyrelevance of kitting out the VIP vehicle with a host of
were military advisors. Either way without the securitysuitable security counter measures which reduces the
countermeasures of specialist security consultantsrisk even further.
providing close protection training and protectiveWhen considering the concept of kidnapping of
service cover and companies like Texas Armoringbusiness executives for ransom, the reason I place so
Corporation providing VIP's and corporate executivesmuch emphasis on the VIP vehicle is simple. VIP's and
with some of the worlds leading armoured vehicles,or business executives are most vulnerable to attack
the number of kidnap victims would be significantlywhile linked to their vehicle, with the highest number of
higher.attacks occurring when the VIP enters or leaves his
In my experience when a prospective security clienther vehicle. Terrorists and organised kidnap for ransom
comes to me seeking close protection advice, organgs understand that the security team can protect a
counter kidnapping training to be backed up with oneVIP better in a fixed building, than when travelling in a
of my close protection teams, they are generallyvehicle. Clients seeking conventional vehicle security
fearful for their life, or the lives of their family membersproducts should never purchase security products on
or business associates. The risk factor has generallyprice. Buy the best quality items you can afford.