This is a situation where kidnappers will force a foreign national into their car, or jump into the car and detain the foreign national for only a short time, robbing what they have in the car or taking them to 1 or 2 ATM machines so they can withdraw as much cash as possible. 

There could be a promise of quick release if the victim is able to get out a certain amount of money and serious threat if the money can’t be produced.  In most of these situations the kidnappers themselves don’t want to hold the victim for any extended duration of time and many are not kidnap and ransom professionals.  Many are local amateurs, and in some cases they can be more dangerous especially if they panic during the express kidnapping.

Even if your kidnap and ransom insurance has an express kidnap feature, of course there is very little chance any company will be able to intervene if the victim is only being held for 6 hours or less, and of course, there is a good chance the victim has not had any contact with anyone, and not allowed to use a cell phone.  There is no ransom call of course. 

The benefit feature in a kidnap and ransom insurance policy may be used to return monies withdrawn from the ATM.  Knowing the expatriate will get all funds back, the victim should be more willing to just drive to the ATM and withdraw as much as possible for the express kidnappers to get back home as quickly as possible.

As we have discussed, planning is critical.  Expatriates should have been taught to think through this situation.  Employers should not tell them about the details of the kidnap and ransom insurance plan, but they should instruct expats that if express kidnappers ask for $500, by all means give it to them and we will reimburse you!  It sound obvious, but there have been many people shot and killed because they caused a problem when asked to remove their $300 watch!  The expatriate should have been over this scenario in their mind, and be prepared to stay calm and pay the express kidnappers.  Without planning, the end result may be tragic.

Expatriate security planning and preparation is similar to what Toyota drivers are being told to do regarding runaway exceleration; prepare in advance.  All it really takes is to tell yourself three times, if my car starts to race shift into neutral, don’t panic, worst comes to worse I can turn the key off.  Panic and lack of preparation have left many dead.

Having someone walk expatriates through the possible situations and actually spending one full day on expatriate security can be the difference between life and death or kidnap and ransom.

Expatriate security and pre-departure preparation means running each possible scenario through… ahead of time.

If you are going to Mexico city here are your expatriate security issues.  Are most employers dealing with these expatriate security concerns in advance?  No.

1. Should I get in a green taxi.. ever?
2. Has there been an international security site assessment both on where I will work and where my family will live?
3. What do I do if someone enters my car?
4. What to do if someone enters the house?
5. Do I have a security emergency number, and who can I reach in an emergency?
6. Is there a political evacuation plan?
7. Who is my security contact back in the home office or locally in Mexico City?

Effective risk management and expatriate security (against violent crime,  political unrest, medical emergencies, kidnap and ransom, hotel fires, extortion, auto accidents etc.) is dependent on effective decision making and making good choices through preparation.

The expatriate policies and procedure manual should have an entire section on expatriate family security, it should not be mentioned just in passing.