[imagesource: 123RF/kozzi]

Statistics from the South African Police Service (SAPS) show that from July to September 2022, kidnappings in the country more than doubled.

Records show that kidnappings over the period went up to 4 028, which is 2 000 cases more than the kidnappings that took place at the same time in 2021.

While SAPS notes that these kidnappings are mostly opportunistic and often tied to cases of hijacking, the specialist insurer, iTOO, has noted that kidnapping for ransom and extortion is actually becoming a rather lucrative business in South Africa, BusinessTech reported.

iTOO also recorded an alarming increase in kidnappings over the last year, with an average of 1 143 kidnappings per month reported during the first half of 2022, which is double the monthly average of 700 cases reported in 2021, it said.

But the most alarming part is that these kidnapping syndicates are extending their victim pool, increasingly targeting mid- to lower-income individuals as well as really wealthy business owners.

In fact, these crimes are not even pitted against moneyed individuals themselves, but also their family and possibly friends:

“Latest trends also suggest that wealthy individuals themselves are no longer the sole targets of organised kidnapping syndicates, but that the threat now increasingly extends to family members, friends and associates,” the group said.

“Previously, companies would mainly insure their executives against kidnapping and extortion when they travelled to high-risk areas. Now the threat extends to entire families who are at risk of being potential kidnapping victims.”

Since kidnapping is so prevalent – a relatively quick and easy way to get a lot of money – criminals have also become more organised and are widening their net so as to account for the tough economic times:

“These days, syndicates are known to snatch anyone with the means or the support network to raise a ransom amount,” it said.

“As a result, we have seen ordinary people being kidnapped for ransoms as small as R500,000 or less, as long as they have family or friends who can raise the money for their release. The kidnapping syndicates are definitely expanding their market, and people should be aware of this,” the group said.

As a result, GI-TOC notes that the kidnappings are also taking place in low-income areas in Johannesburg and not just in wealthy suburbs:

“Syndicates have come to realise that lower-income earners make for easy targets and do not draw media attention. On the other hand, higher earners also have better means at their disposal to increase their personal safety. It is not surprising then that kidnapping is becoming more prevalent in less affluent communities,” iTOO said.

The organisation of such a crime is also alarming, with criminals taking time to track the movements and habits of their victims so as to orchestrate a well-planned and well-rehearsed kidnapping.

Besides always being intensely vigilant about your surroundings, it is also advisable to change your daily routine and travel routes up so that you’re less trackable.

[source:businesstech]