Ecuador: Express Kidnappings Increase in Quito

By Larry Habegger | Permalink | No Comments | September 29th, 2010 | Trackback

The U.S. Embassy in Quito reported an increase in express kidnappings in the capital where victims are abducted and forced to empty their bank accounts at ATMs or in local banks. Most such kidnappings have previously occurred in Guayaquil, but they are on the rise in Quito, especially at night in the Mariscal District, a popular tourist area. These crimes have usually involved illegitimate taxis and the perpetrators have been using pepper spray to incapacitate their victims. The Embassy recommends avoiding hailing taxis on the street and urges travelers to confirm that the taxi is legitimate by making sure it has an orange license plate and an orange placard on the driver’s-side door and windshield with a registration number.

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