Cases of abduction money are on the rise - there's even insurance for rich parents who fear their children may be kidnapped

It's a story that struck fear into parents all over South Africa: a five-year-old abducted by men who demanded his parents pay a ransom if they wanted | their child back. The four armed kidnappers had taken the boy from his church in Troyeville, Joburg, and in what seemed like a scene from a movie, released him only after his parents handed over RU3 million in cash.

The kidnapping of Samuel Amoes made headlines around the country and nearly destroyed his parents. Angolan diamond magnate Faustino Amoes (62) and Maggie Amoes (49). who represents South African Airways in Angola. Even after his son was returned home safe and sound the strain was so big that Faustino suffered a stroke and has to walk around with the help of a crutch.

The family still fear for the safety of their three other kids, especially after one of the kidnappers phoned their 17-year-old daughter to propose love" to her. according to reports.

The fact the men have been arrested must be a measure of comfort. And it's hard to imagine how they must be feeling knowing one of the men believed to have taken the boy is a relative.

Security experts say this abduction is one of the types of kidnapping on the rise in Mzansi. "Samuel Amoes case is a classic kidnap-for-ransom scenario." says Mark Welman of international company Pasco Risk Management, a global risk-management consultancy. "This case is going to increase demand for kidnap insurance cover in South Africa."

Samuels is certainly not the first kidnapping case to make headlines. In 2006 Sisanda Ngcawuzele, the then 20 year old daughter of Cape Town businessman MzoU Ngcawuzele. was abducted for money (DRUM. Tragedy upon tragedy. 18 January 2007) and before that the kidnapping and murder of university student Leigh Matthews shocked South Africans.

"Kidnapping is on the increase."" says Charles Goredema. senior researcher at the Institute for Security Studies' organised crime and money laundering programme. There were 2 539 cases in 2008/2009. 9.9 per cent more than in 2007/2008. "There are the classic kidnap for-ransom cases and something called express kidnapping where victims are held until criminals can get their cash from an ATM." Charles says (see box).

"Globally the trend is Thai only one third of kidnappings are reported because of the risk to victims or threats from the kidnappers. The families think the best thing to do is to keep quiet and pay the ransom."

People are securing their homes more. This forces criminals to seek new opportunities to make money. One of them is kidnapping.

1 In figures would be tar higher it unreported raises were included in official statistics, ho adds. No wonder then that there are now insurant? packages being tailored for wealthy parents who fear their children may be kidnapped.

CHARMS, the only insurer offering direct kidnap cover in South Africa, is drawing up proposals and specialised insurance deals that will pay between R10 million and R50 million in the event of a child from a rich family being kidnapped. The cost of cover varies with the risk involved, including where the person insured travels to, says Keith Marshall, a regional manager at Chartis. You'd have to pay R25 000 a year for cover of R10 million.

The burgeoning black middle class could also result in more kidnapping cases, experts say in many cases such as Samuel and Moil's daughter - the kidnappers know the family is wealthy and know they can rover the ransom. 'Samuel's kidnappers knew his parents were away on a business trip to Angola They planned everything to the smallest detail/ Mark says. His company receives requests from large corporations and rich people to train their staff and families to be aware of the danger of this kind of kidnapping.

I he most common kidnapping. Charles says, is when kids are abducted from up market schools and a ransom ranging from R200 000 to R500 000 is demanded.

"Parents prefer to pay and get their children back without calling the police." he says. "Cape Town liaise had a few of these small-scale kidnappings, including a recent one involving a child who was kidnapped in Constantia Mall and a ransom was paid/

Often the criminals work in groups and are part of an organised crime ring. Charles says. "They view themselves as professionals who won't harm their victims.

Others, such as Leigh Matthews killer, follow a different pattern. "Kidnappers who work alone always target victims who know them/ Chares explains. "As in the case of Donovan Muodley - he killed Leigh after getting the ransom money" This means the victim won't identify the abductor.

So why is there an increase in kidnapping cases? Its because people are securing their homes more and that's largely due to the high crime rate. Charles says.

The crime rate forces people to take security measures such as hiring armed response guards and become involved in community policing. A heavy police presence on the streets and in malls, cars fitted with trackers and sophisticated alarm systems also make it harder for criminals to rob banks and supermarkets or hijack cars and break into houses.

"This forces criminals to seek new opportunities to make money and one of them is kidnapping and extortion. Its growing fast and it's scary Fears have been expressed that the Fifa World Cup will cause a rise in kidnap for ransom because so many rich foreigners will be heading lo our shores. Bui there are no indications that (he risk will be any higher. Mark says. And the South African Police Service is working with other security agencies and is at an all time high alert to stop any crime, says Colonel Vish Naidu. the police's World Cup spokesman.

Parents should still be vigilant, especially with children on holiday during the soccer tournament the experts say. 3

Express Kidnapping

What you need to know Kidnap-for-ransom is not the only form of kidnapping on the increase, says Charles Goredema of the Institute for Security Studies. The other type is called express kidnapping and it involves victims being driven to a n ATM to  withdraw money or being held while criminals drive to the ATM to withdraw money.

"A victim can be held hostage for hours in an express kidnapping. The criminals can withdraw the maximum amount and wait until midnight to make another withdrawal says Mark Welman of Pasco Risk Management, a security consultancy.

This form of abduction is widespread and is recorded by the police as robbery instead of kidnapping. "Sometimes the crime statistics are distorted because of the way the police record the crime" Charles says. Avoid becoming a victim of express kidnapping.

• Don't withdraw cash at night, especially if you're alone.
• Be vigilant and look around to see if anyone is following you.
• If you absolutely have to draw money, ask a friend to go with you - or even better, ask a few friends.
• Don't argue or try to withhold information from your kidnappers, Your life is more important than the money.

Original article featured in the DRUM 3rd June 2010, p100

Original article featured in the DRUM 3rd June 2010, p100