Very lengthy and detailed article, some snippets..
Bbm.
September 11, 2013
http://www.news.com.au/world/proof-of-life-behind-the-hostage-industry/story-fndir2ev-1226717583578
"THE phone call comes in the middle of the night from a secure and secret location in a country associated with strife or poverty.
The news is frightening.
Men armed with assault weapons have kidnapped a loved one and taken them to a holding place, possibly the dungeon of a house, where they are locked in a room, possibly in chains.
The heavily accented voice down the phone line says you can have your loved one back, for a price, and names a large ransom sum. Fail to pay the sum, the voice says, and your loved one will die.
Kidnaps for ransom are on the rise and
travellers or workers from First World countries such as Australia, Europe and the US with access to large cash amounts are prize targets."
<<<<<<<<Snip>>>>>>>
"South American nations are notoriously dangerous.
The list of countries to avoid is long, and always changing, but these are the top 10 areas for threat of kidnap for ransom, according to crisis management company red24:
1. Afghanistan: about 950 kidnappings for ransom per year.
2. Somalia: 24 vessels offshore seized in 2011, more than 400 hostages taken and 265 still captive.
3. Iraq: complex risk environment with criminal, terrorist and politically-motivated kidnappers.
4. Nigeria: well in excess of 1000 kidnappings for ransom annually.
5. Pakistan: officially 15,000 kidnappings a year, true number higher, but few are for ransom.
6. Yemen: more than 200 foreign nationals have been kidnapped over the past 20 years.
7.
Venezuela: officially 1000-plus kidnappings in 2011, and one of the highest per capita rates of abduction in the world.
8. Mexico: officially 2000 kidnaps for ransom, actual number is 17,889 kidnaps.
9. Haiti: kidnaps declined to low hundreds, but per capita rate second only to Venezuela.
10. Colombia: despite a significant reduction, the official record for 2011 was 258 kidnappings.
Other locations where kidnap for ransom has been identified as a significant or growing threat include the Sahel-Sahara region of Northern Africa, Kenya, India, China, and the Philippines"
Wondering if 'parading" Amy had anything to do with" proof of life' and driving up the " emotional stakes" to increase reward, whatever that might be?
imo.
<<<<<Snip>>>>>
"
Proof of Life
The first thing to establish is if your loved one is still alive. Either the kidnappers will let you speak with them or they will post a video or photograph of the victim with date evidence, such as a newspaper.
This
"proof of life" also helps to crank up the ransom demand.
Shura Council of Iraq's Mujahedeen kidnapped engineer Douglas Wood and posted a video of the terrified Australian to Al Jazeerah. The footage of his begging Australia and the US to concede to his captors demands - to pull troops from Iraq - went around the world.
In the next video, the Mujahedeen
had shaved Mr Wood's head and he was sporting bruises".