“I am the CEO of an international consulting firm located in the Pacific Northwest. We routinely send our people to every corner of the globe. Recently, we had a real scare when a team sent to Turkey failed to respond to our phone calls and texts. What came to mind was that they were abducted, and we expected a ransom demand — which never came, because it was a false alarm. They had been out of cell phone range. But that fear left us wondering how we should respond to a real kidnapping. I’ll bet this topic would be of interest to many of your readers. Thanks, ‘Cindy.’”
Advice from a kidnap negotiator
I discussed Cindy’s question with U.K.-based Scott Walker, considered one of the world’s most experienced kidnap-for-ransom negotiators. He spent 16 years as a Scotland Yard detective in covert, counterterrorism and kidnap operations.
Walker distills the lessons learned from high-profile abductions and presents readers with a by-the-numbers approach to successful negotiations in daily life in his recently released book, Order Out of Chaos, which keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
I asked, “When suddenly thrust into a situation where you desperately want the release of hostages — in a domestic situation, in the workplace, or as a cyberattack victim — what must you not do to avoid making the situation even more perilous?”
1. Do not panic or allow yourself to be ruled by emotions.
The first thing not to do is to allow emotions to get the better of you — panic makes it impossible to think straight, Walker underscores. This will prevent you from making effective decisions, and you could ultimately wind up with a far worse situation. By harnessing strong emotions, you are far better able to work with others in a cooperative effort to reach a positive outcome.
2. Do not go into denial, bury your head in the sand or allow yourself to become frozen with fear. Do not catastrophize.
Any hostage situation can lead to catastrophizing. You don’t want to blow the situation out of proportion, exaggerate or make it worse than it is. In an almost manic state of mind like that, you can’t be effective in dealing with the various parties. “A successful outcome requires coming from a place of calmness and equanimity,” Walker says.
3. Do not fail to develop a crisis management plan, involving key decision makers, well before an incident occurs.
Especially for organizations that send people around the world, a plan in place means that you will know who needs to be involved, who the decision makers are and the key steps required to manage the situation as effectively as possible.
Without a plan, there is chaos, with people all running their own agenda, and egos leading the charge. This allows the kidnappers to sow the seeds of distrust.
4. Do not fail to realize that trust is the most critical element in any hostage negotiation.
“Establishing a mutual trusting relationship with the kidnappers is absolutely essential so that when the ransom money is handed over, they will release the hostages or, in a ransomware attack, release the decryption codes,” Walker says. Also, that trust lets them know you are not going to track or double-cross them.
He adds, “Creating this mutually trusting relationship begins by actively listening to their needs, showing empathy, helping them feel seen, heard and understood.” Offering your help results in cooperation and collaboration, a feeling that “we're in this together, and we're going to find a solution that both of us feel as if we've got a good deal.”
“Without that trust, you're not going to get a deal,” Walker points out. “This is where control of your own ego is so important. Yes, you are furious, but do not see yourself as Rambo! Do not convey the idea that they are going to lose and that you will do your best to make it happen!”
5. Do not fail to know when and if to involve law enforcement, even if you’re told not to by the kidnappers.
“If a family member or colleague is kidnapped in the U.S. or in Western Europe,” Walker notes, “absolutely involve law enforcement. However, in other parts of the world, sometimes the police, law enforcement and military are involved, or they turn a blind eye to kidnapping and extortion.”
Walker adds, “Even if they aren’t with the bad guys, most countries do not have people skilled to handle these sensitive matters that can drag on for months, and therefore attempt a rescue that can lead to death of the hostage.”
Kidnapping is rarely random
Concluding our interview, Walker cautions, “Ninety-nine percent of kidnappings are not just random. Victims weren’t in the wrong place at the wrong time. They were targeted. Significant planning and preparation have gone into it, or the kidnapping was a direct result of personal information posted online. We need to be more circumspect about what we post and realize that few people need to know (certain details). Some might even become jealous, or see you as an easy way to score thousands of dollars.”
Order Out of Chaos is practical, accessible and well-written. It is a great read and would make an excellent gift for university business majors.
Dennis Beaver practices law in Bakersfield, Calif., and welcomes comments and questions from readers, which may be faxed to (661) 323-7993, or e-mailed to Lagombeaver1@gmail.com. And be sure to visit dennisbeaver.com.
Related Content
- How to Spot a Social Security Scam (and What to Do About It)
- ‘Simple’ Scam Messages May Fool Even the Most Discerning Eye
- Romance Scams That Target Older Adults Rising: What to Do
- Read This Before You Sign a Letter of Intent
- Why Can’t You Ever Use Your Timeshare?
-
The Most Tax-Friendly State for Retirement in 2025: Here It IsRetirement Tax How do you retire ‘tax-free’? This state doesn’t tax retirement income, has a low median property tax bill, and even offers savings on gas. Are you ready for a move?
-
Plan for Higher Health Care Costs in 2026: Projected Medicare Part B and Part D PremiumsIn 2026, Medicare participants will pay more for their health care. Part B costs are expected to rise more than 10%. Here's what you can do.
-
Avoid Medicare's 'Shadow Tax' With This Financial Expert's IRMAA-Busting TipsYou're cruising along in retirement, and then bam: Your Medicare premiums soar because your income crossed the limit. Take a breath. There could be a solution.
-
Grilling Season and ETFs: There's More Than One Way to Cook Up a PortfolioExchange-traded funds come in a multitude of 'flavors' these days, from passive to active to factor-based. Their flexibility is what makes them so delicious.
-
You Don't Want It, But You Should Plan for It Anyway: An Expert Guide to Long-Term CarePlanning for long-term care is crucial to protect your independence, family and financial stability against unexpected health events and rising care costs not covered by standard insurance.
-
Five Questions to Help Ensure a Happy, Secure RetirementYou need to drill down to what you really want out of retirement. Then you can get down to the business of crafting a financial plan to make it happen.
-
I'm a Financial Adviser: This Is How You Can Save for Big Goals Even if You Feel Like You're Barely Getting ByLearning good financial habits — building an emergency fund, paying down debt, saving consistently — gives you flexibility, options and a path to security.
-
How to Buy an Annuity Online (Without Regret)You should never be rushed into buying an annuity. But now that they can be sold quickly and easily online, you need to be more alert than ever to pushy salesmanship. Here are four signs you're working online with a professional.
-
How Much Income Will an Indexed Annuity Get You? An Annuities Expert Lays Out the NumbersGuaranteed lifetime income sounds great, but how much will it be? Several factors determine your future payout on indexed annuities with an income rider.
-
Financial Fact vs Fiction: Why Inflation Is Lower, But Prices Are NotDo you think bonds protect you from stock losses? Are you confident your assets will go to your intended heirs if all you have is a will? Think again — and read on for other myths that could be leading you astray.
