Social Media Lures Used in Rise of Colombian Kidnappings

Colombian Police Bust Kidnapping Rings Using Social Media Lures Bogota, Colombia – Colombian authorities have issued a stark warning to citizens after a recent surge in kidnappings orchestrated through social media. The Gaula, the National Police's anti-kidnapping unit, announced the dismantling of two criminal gangs operating in the Meta and Cesar departments. These gangs used deceptive tactics, promising employment or loans to unsuspecting victims, who were then abducted and held for ransom. "Citizens are being contacted on social media with false promises of work or credit," explained a news anchor from Noticias Caracol. "When they arrive at the agreed-upon meeting, they are held captive by criminals." The police operation resulted in several arrests and the rescue of multiple victims. One victim, a driver, was contacted to perform a move. Upon arriving at the indicated address, he was immediately seized. Another victim, an agronomist, was lured in with a loan offer. In both cases, the criminals used the victims' images and videos to pressure their families into paying ransoms. Colonel Élver Alfonso Sanabria, director of the Gaula, emphasized the importance of immediate reporting. "Each minute counts to track down those responsible, prevent extortion payments, and secure the release of victims." He highlighted that the ransom demands ranged from 10 to 30 million pesos and were typically made through electronic transfers. The Gaula has urged citizens to exercise extreme caution when responding to online job or loan offers. The increased use of social media in these crimes underscores the need for vigilance and swift reporting to authorities.