Express kidnapping

Express kidnapping (Spanish: secuestro exprés; Portuguese: sequestro relâmpago) is a method of abduction where a small immediate ransom is demanded, often by the victim being forced to withdraw money from their ATM account.^[1]

Known in the United States since at least 1986,^[2] they are more commonly associated with urban areas of Latin America, such as Mexico, Venezuela, Peru, Brazil and Colombia.^[3] In some parts of Latin America, express kidnappings known as a millionaire tour (in Spanish paseo millonario) involve an innocent taxi cab passenger and a criminal driver, who stops to pick up associates. The passenger is taken to a variety of ATMs, and forced to "max out" their bank card at each.^[4]

This type of kidnapping does not require much experience or preparation and is suspected of being committed by inexperienced criminals more often than not.^[5]