인질범과 교섭하기 How to Pay a Ransom for a Kidnapped Loved One > 소비자보호

If you are asked to pay a ransom for a kidnapped loved one, it is usually in your best interests to comply with whatever the criminals demand. Obviously, you'll be more inspired to hand over the cash or valuables if a person is taken rather than an object of importance to you, but you'll have to make the judgment call if no human beings are involved.

You cannot assume, however, that every instance of kidnapping will involve a ransom. There are many reasons for which a criminal might want to kidnap your loved one, and it might not have anything to do with money. In most cases, a ransom demand will be made within 24 to 48 hours of the abduction, at which time you'll receive orders from the person who is holding your loved one hostage. When that happens, you'll have a series of decisions to make.

First, if the kidnapper demands that you not contact the police, you'll have to decide whether or not to comply. It is usually best to involve the authorities, regardless of what the criminal tells you on the phone, and you should know that most kidnappers expect you to bring in reinforcements. The most important thing to him or her is getting the money or valuables demanded, and if your kidnapped loved one is killed, you won't pay the ransom.

That said, you should be as covert as possible about contacting police so as not to arouse suspicion. You shouldn't assume that you aren't being watched, as an experienced criminal will want to know what you are doing every second of the day until the exchange is made. Furthermore, you shouldn't assume that your loved one will be returned as soon as you hand over the cash, and the police will make it as likely as possible to get your loved one home safe.

If you're going to contact the police before you pay the ransom for a kidnapped loved one, the type of phone you use to call will make all the difference. The best way to do this is with a disposable cellular phone, which can be purchased at most department stores and won't have to be registered in your name. Simply load the phone with one of the cards you can purchase at the store, then make the call from a location where you cannot be overheard.

This way, if your phones are tapped or if the criminals are using some type of listening device, you won't be discovered during your call to the police. Additionally, you won't want to call 911 because a police officer will be immediately dispatched to your home or office. Instead, look up the number of your local police department and call the dispatcher.

The police can give you further instructions about how to pay a ransom for a kidnapped loved one. In most cases, you will be encouraged to hand over the money or valuables requested, but to make sure that the return of your loved one is assured. A police officer may accompany you to make the exchange, or you might be wired so that you can stay in contact with law enforcement throughout the ordeal.

Ransoms for kidnapped loved ones are more common in some countries than in others. Areas experiencing political turmoil, for example, are prime candidates for extortion and kidnapping, and you should be careful when you travel to those countries. If your job requires you to travel extensively to other parts of the world, you may want to consider purchasing a kidnap/extortion insurance policy. This will allow you to have funds immediately available, up to a certain amount, in the event that a ransom is demanded of you.

Furthermore, it is a good idea to keep your wealth under wraps if you have children or elderly relatives. These two groups of people are the most common subjects of kidnappings because they are easily controlled, so don't advertise that you have sufficient means to pay a ransom. This is especially true if you are involved in politics, or if you are an otherwise controversial public figure.