Reducing the risk of kidnapping

Last Updated
Friday, 30/08/2024

 

This page has advice for Australian travellers about the risk of kidnapping.

On this page:

Know the risk before you go

Kidnapping is the unlawful abduction and holding someone against their will. It's also known as criminal abduction.

Child kidnapping is taking a child against the will of any parent or legal guardian of the child.

Usually, the kidnappers are using the victim to get something. They hold the victim and contact their family or employer to negotiate their release.

Reasons for kidnap may include:

  • ransom or money
  • ideology
  • politics.

If you can't contact an Australian overseas and there's no proof of kidnapping, they may be missing. See our advice on what to do if an Australian is missing overseas.

Where kidnapping is a risk

Kidnaps can happen anywhere, anytime, including in destinations that are typically at lower risk.

The threat of kidnap is very high in some parts of the world, including:

  • Afghanistan
  • Pakistan
  • parts of the Middle East
  • South America
  • parts of Southeast Asia.

It's also a threat to commercial, aid and humanitarian activities in:

  • remote parts of West and East Africa
  • the Sahel area in Africa.

If you travel to an area where kidnapping is common, take measures to reduce your risk.

Types of kidnapping

There are different types of kidnap:

Express kidnapping

Criminals often kidnap and threaten tourists to force them to withdraw large amounts of money from ATMs or from banking applications on your phone. The kidnapping often ends when the victim can no longer withdraw money. In some places, this is called 'express kidnapping'.

It is common in Central and South American countries, especially Mexico and Colombia, and South Africa. But it happens in other countries.

In some cases, kidnappers have killed victims for fighting back.

Use ATMs located inside banks, hotels and shopping centres during daylight hours. Don’t display money or valuables in public.

Some criminals pretend to be unlicensed taxi drivers. Once the victim is in the cab, they're held until they agree to withdraw money. Always use licensed taxi services.

Virtual kidnapping

Virtual kidnapping is a scam. It targets the family and friends of people travelling, not the traveller.

In this scam, the fake kidnapper contacts a family member of the traveller. They often tell a believable story about the traveller being kidnapped, injured or arrested. The story may include things the traveller has posted on social media to make it sound genuine. They then ask for money.

If the traveller has a lot of videos and photos of themselves online, the virtual kidnapper may also use artificial intelligence (AI) to create "deepfakes." These could be altered photos, videos, or audio recordings of the traveller. They're used to convince the traveller's family or friend that the kidnapping is real.

In most cases, the scammer tries to keep the person they've contacted on the phone. This stops them from contacting the traveller to confirm they're safe.

If they ask for a credit card number, it could also be a credit card scam (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)).

Types of virtual kidnapping

  • The caller claims to have the traveller hostage. They demand an immediate ransom for their safe return.
  • The caller says they're from a hospital. They say the traveller is in hospital and needs urgent treatment. They ask for upfront payment for the medical care.
  • The caller claims to be from the police. They claim the traveller has been arrested or jailed. They demand money to pay the traveller's fines so that they can release them.

How to reduce the risk of virtual kidnapping

Check your social media privacy settings. Scammers can use anything you share publicly to create a realistic story that your family or friends may believe.

Be informed about scams. As a traveller or the family or friend of an Australian travelling overseas. Learn more about avoiding scams on ScamWatch (ACCC).

Virtual kidnapping is more common in China and Mexico. But it can happen anywhere.

Learn more about virtual kidnapping from the US National Institute of Health. Also read the advice of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on virtual kidnapping.

Kidnapping and online scams

Sometimes, kidnappings can be linked to internet scams. This includes romance scams and Nigerian letter scams (ACCC).

Some kidnappers run very advanced operations. Often, they build a relationship of trust over months or years with the victim before asking them to come overseas.

Be careful of any online invitation to travel somewhere you don't know. Especially if someone is offering you romance, a job or money.

If you think you've been scammed, don't go overseas to get your money back. The scammer may kidnap you and then demand even more money from your loved ones for you to be released.

See our general advice on scams that affect travellers. Learn more about avoiding scams on ScamWatch (ACCC).

Piracy

Piracy can include kidnapping. Some pirates kidnap people who travel by boat and demand a ransom.

Pirates attack all types of boats. This includes commercial vessels, pleasure craft (such as yachts) and luxury cruise liners. For more information, including on high-risk locations for piracy, see our advice on boat travel and piracy.

Terrorist kidnapping

Terrorists and militant groups often target tourists for kidnap. In some situations, terrorists have killed their victims when their demands weren't met.

Some kidnappings happen for ideological or political reasons. This doesn't leave much room for negotiation.

Terrorists can target Australians anywhere. But the risk is higher in conflict zones and countries where our advice level is 'Do not travel.'

Foreigners at higher risk of kidnapping by terrorists

Terrorists often kidnap foreigners who are:

  • journalists
  • oil and mining industry employees
  • aid and humanitarian workers or volunteers
  • tourists, especially where tourism is rare
  • using local tour and transport operators.

Cross-border kidnappings

Kidnappers may take hostages to a neighbouring country. For example, terrorists have kidnapped humanitarian workers and tourists in Kenya but held them in Somalia. People kidnapped in Afghanistan have sometimes been taken to Pakistan.

International parental child abduction

International parental child abduction occurs when one parent or guardian takes their child from its home country without either:

  • the permission of the other parent or guardian
  • the authorisation of a court.

If you think someone may try to take your child out of Australia without your consent, report it. Get legal advice, they can help you:

Learn more about international parental child abduction from the Attorney-General's Department. Also see our advice about international parental child abduction when travelling with children.

Reducing your risk of kidnapping

Local security providers

Private companies may provide personal security services in high-risk destinations.

If you're travelling for work, business, or to volunteer, ask your employer or organisation about your security provider. Contact the provider for advice, support and help.

You’re responsible for your own safety. If you're travelling independently, find a security provider in your destination. Ask them for personal advice to suit your situation.

Before you go

  • Research your destination. Find out what the risks are.
  • Subscribe to the travel advice for your destination.
  • Find out where and when the risks increase. Some areas may be riskier at certain times.
  • Get professional security advice.
  • Do security risk assessments. Have security arrangements in place that will protect you from the risks that you face.
  • Have personal security measures in place as soon as you arrive.

While you're away

  • Follow the local news. If risks increase, take extra precautions.
  • In high-risk areas, don't travel unless you need to.
  • Don't go out without proper security measures and personnel.
  • Tell someone of where you’re going and when you expect to return.
  • Be alert. Watch out for suspicious or unusual activity.
  • If you feel threatened, leave.

Travel insurance for kidnapping

Standard travel insurance policies don't cover kidnapping or pay ransoms. You may need a specialised policy, especially if you're going to a high-risk location.

Some standard policies only cover some types of kidnapping, such as express kidnapping. They may treat it as a mugging.

Check what your policy covers. Most insurers won't cover you if our advice level for your destination is 'Do not travel'.

Learn more about travel insurance. Read the travel insurance buying guide (CHOICE).

Reporting an overseas kidnapping

Kidnapping is a crime. Report all crimes to the local authorities. Local police contacts are under 'emergency contacts' on each destination's travel advisory.

Also report the kidnapping to the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre at:

  • +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
  • 1300 555 135 in Australia

Ransom and demands

Kidnappers won't always let the victim go if you meet their demands. They don't always hold up their end of the deal.

The Australian Government does not make payments or concessions to kidnappers.

Ransom

The kidnappers may demand a ransom to release the victim. Paying the ransom doesn't ensure the victim's release. They may make more demands after you've paid.

Terrorists can use ransom payments to fund terrorist attacks. Under Australian counter-terrorism financing laws, it's illegal to give money to terrorists. Ransom payments to terrorist groups are likely to contravene Australian counter-terrorism financing laws.

Learn more about Australians counter-terrorism laws (Attorney-General's Department).

Demands

The kidnappers may make other demands. This could be in addition to or instead of money. They may make demands for the local government, such as releasing a prisoner. The prisoner could be a terrorist, political prisoner or general criminal.

The Australian Government does not concede to kidnapper demands under any circumstances.

How the Australian Government can help

The Australian Government is limited in how and when it can help you overseas. We can’t guarantee your safety or provide security and protection. It's important to understand our limits. Read the Consular Services Charter for what we can and can't do.

To contact the Australian Government in an emergency:

You can get help from the local authorities in the victim's destination. Local police contacts are in each destination's travel advice.

What we can do

Kidnappings are sensitive matters. They involve many parts of the government both in Australia and overseas. If an Australian is kidnapped, where possible, the Australian Government works closely with the government of the country where the kidnapping has happened to try to resolve the situation safely.

We'll tell families what they can expect and give them timely updates to help them make informed decisions. We will also put families in touch with specialist agencies and organisations that can offer practical and emotional support.

What we can't do

  • We can't pay ransoms or concede to demands.
  • We can't pass on demands to or influence the decisions of a foreign government.
  • We can't give you legal advice.
  • We can't conduct criminal investigations overseas.

Read more

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