Crime Trends

Worried About Kidnapping?
Worried About Kidnapping? 993 330 Greg Ellifritz

In the article below, a former Mexican counter-narcotics agent describes the latest worldwide kidnapping trends.  The article is especially useful for those of you who travel to Mexico, Central America, and South America.

Take the time to give this article a serious read.  If you are a traveler, the information it contains is absolutely vital.

Ed Calderon Sheds Light on Kidnapping & Abduction Trends

 

 

Pickpockets
Pickpockets 600 150 Greg Ellifritz

Pickpocketing is incredibly common in Europe as well as in the developing world.  It’s likely the single most common crime committed against tourists.

 

Check out the link below.  It contains a comprehensive guide to pickpocketing tactics.  Pay extra attention to all of the distractions listed in the article.  Those are the ones that tend to be very successful against most people.

How to Avoid Getting Pickpocketed

 

Virtual Kidnapping
Virtual Kidnapping 1000 1000 Greg Ellifritz

 

Virtual kidnapping is a growing trend.  Travelers (especially those traveling in Latin America) should understand how the process works and educate family members back home so they don’t get scammed.

 

The article linked below goes into some of the basics of how virtual kidnappings happen.

 

Virtual Kidnapping

 

If you want some additional information on the topic, check out my book.  I have an entire chapter on virtual and express kidnappings.