It is 11pm and you are driving down a poorly lit road that is devoid of cars.
You pull up at the signal, and like a good citizen, you wait for the light to turn green.
In this time, a motorcycle pulls up next to your car.
You hear a tapping on the window. It's a gun, held by a menacing young man who is furiously indicating you should roll down your window.
What do you do?
You roll down your window slightly. This is actually a really good idea.
Norbert Almeida: Roll down the window just partially. That permits you to clearly understand what is being said. If you have someone else in the vehicle keep their windows closed.
The gun is shoved in your face.
"Give me your wallet, your watch and your mobile phone. Now."
What do you choose to do?
Hand over all items
Hand over wallet and watch - hold on to your phone
Try to argue/reason with the man
You hand over all your belongings, which is the right thing to do for a number of reasons.
Norbert Almeida: Handing over the phone was a good idea. Criminals are street smart, they know in today's world the likelihood of a person driving a car and not carrying a mobile is very remote. They also expect some resistance and will not shy away from becoming physically and verbally aggressive.
Not arguing with the man was also a good idea. Time is of the essence to a criminal. He's not going to hang around to patiently hear your pleas. He also believes he is the one in control of the situation because he's armed. The quicker he's out of there the better it is for both yourself and his safety.
Unfortunately, this horrific episode isn't over.
The youth checks your wallet, then opens the back door of your car. He climbs in behind you, then puts the gun to your temple.
"We are going to follow my partner on the bike to the nearest ATM. Stop there. We'll both go in together. You will pull out the maximum sum on BOTH your debit cards…and if you try anything at all, I will kill you. And if I don't my partner will."
You nod your head.
You know this neighbourhood has two ATMs close by; one which is fairly new (you've seen a CCTV camera inside) and one that is fairly old (badly maintained lighting).
Where do you go?
Go to the old ATM. If you take the criminals to a new ATM, they'll know what you're up to.
Go to the new ATM. Hopefully the criminals will not have thought about CCTV.
You hand over your belongings, minus the phone.
"Where's the phone? I said WHERE'S THE PHONE?"
"I left the phone at home because it wasn't charged…"
The young man hits you over the head with the gun, leaving you bleeding. You are actually lucky that's all he did.
Norbert Almeida: Criminals are street smart, they know in today's world the likelihood of a person driving a car and not carrying a mobile is very remote. They also expect some resistance and will not shy away from becoming physically and verbally aggressive.
Do you want to ask him to at least return your SIM card?
You hand over the phone. Which was the right thing to do in the first place.
Norbert Almeida: Criminals are street smart, they know in today's world the likelihood of a person driving a car and not carrying a mobile is very remote. They also expect some resistance and will not shy away from becoming physically and verbally aggressive.
Do you want to ask him to at least return your SIM card?
You decide against asking for your SIM back. You've already agitated the man enough. This is a wise choice.
Norbert Almeida: Time is of the essence to a criminal. He's not going to hang around to patiently hear your pleas. He also believes he is the one in control of the situation because he's armed. The quicker he's out of there the better it is for both yourself and his safety.
Unfortunately, this horrific episode isn't over. The youth checks your wallet, then opens the back door of your car. He climbs in behind you, then puts the gun to your temple.
"We are going to follow my partner on the bike to the nearest ATM. Stop there. We'll both go in together. You will pull out the maximum sum on BOTH your debit cards…and if you try anything at all, I will kill you. And if I don't my partner will."
You nod your head.
You know this neighbourhood has two ATMs close by; one which is fairly new (you've seen a CCTV camera inside) and one that is fairly old (badly maintained lighting).
Where do you go?
Go to the old ATM. If you take the criminals to a new ATM, they'll know what you're up to.
Go to the new ATM. Hopefully the criminals will not have thought about CCTV.
You decide against asking for your SIM back. You've already agitated the man enough. This is a wise choice.
Norbert Almeida: Time is of the essence to a criminal. He's not going to hang around to patiently hear your pleas. He also believes he is the one in control of the situation because he's armed. The quicker he's out of there the better it is for both yourself and his safety.
Unfortunately, this horrific episode isn't over. The youth checks your wallet, then opens the back door of your car. He climbs in behind you, then puts the gun to your temple.
"We are going to follow my partner on the bike to the nearest ATM. Stop there. We'll both go in together. You will pull out the maximum sum on BOTH your debit cards…and if you try anything at all, I will kill you. And if I don't my partner will."
You nod your head.
You know this neighbourhood has two ATMs close by; one which is fairly new (you've seen a CCTV camera inside) and one that is fairly old (badly maintained lighting).
Where do you go?
Go to the old ATM. If you take the criminals to a new ATM, they'll know what you're up to.
Go to the new ATM. Hopefully the criminals will not have thought about CCTV.
You go to the old ATM...the young man doesn't seem to care either way, which means you have lost the opportunity to catch the criminal and yourself on camera.
Norbert Almeida: You don't know what the criminal's plans are, and entering an ATM with an operational camera at least identifies your location for investigators.
You pull over. There is no security guard in sight. The youth gets out of the car and throws open your door, pulling you out roughly. The two of you enter the tiny ATM booth.
"Go ahead," he says, shoving you once again.
Use both cards and pull out money
Use both cards but enter the wrong pin code for one
You go to the new ATM...and the young man doesn't seem to care.
You pull over. There is no security guard in sight. The youth gets out of the car and throws open your door, pulling you out roughly. The two of you enter the tiny ATM booth.
"Go ahead," he says, shoving you once again.
Norbert Almeida: When you enter make sure the camera captures your features clearly. You don't know what his plans are this way at least your location could be identified by investigators. Also you could report the incident to the bank later.
Use both cards and pull out money
Use both cards but enter the wrong pin code for one
You pull out the cash on both cards, which is a very safe option.
Norbert Almeida: The criminal has what he wants there's no need for him to show any aggression and you remain unharmed.
The young man seems pleased, and far more relaxed now.
The two of you exit the ATM, and you are thankful this horrible episode has come to an end.
Except…
"Now we're going to drive around till midnight, and then you're going to pull out the maximum sum again, got it?" the young man says.
What do you do?
You pull out the cash on one card, but enter the wrong pin for the other and feign surprise.
"It isn't working," you say."
"If it doesn't work, I'm going to shoot you right here," the youth says calmly. He's definitely seen this trick before. You decide to abandon this plan and pull out money on the second card.
Norbert Almeida: He's street smart and would not hesitate to harm if you if he sense you're faking it. Failure is not an option for him & if he senses it he's likely to take out his anger on you.
The young man seems pleased, and far more relaxed now.
The two of you exit the ATM, and you are thankful this horrible episode has come to an end.
Except…
"Now we're going to drive around till midnight, and then you're going to pull out the maximum sum again, got it?" the young man says.
What do you do?
You do as the youth says. The drive around is uncomfortable, but uneventful. A little while later you return to the ATM, pull out yet more money, and then the two criminals leave on their bike, warning you not to follow or call the police.
CONGRATULATIONS
You have made it through theft and express kidnapping shaken but unharmed.
Since you had the presence of mind to take the criminals to an ATM with a CCTV camera, the young men are eventually identified and caught by the police.
Play through the encounter again to learn more about express kidnappings.
While this fictional account is a helpful tool to prepare you for such an unfortunate event, read more tips from Norbert Almeida below.
REDUCE THE RISK
- Lock your car doors and keep the windows rolled up.
- If on a motorcycle then place a bag on the rear part of the seat to prevent someone from jumping on board (pillion rider).
- Remain alert to people loitering around your vehicle if it is parked.
- If you stop at a signal and there are people hanging around, move away if you sense it is unusual (remember such crimes occur late at night to benefit from the date change transaction limits).
- Avoid talking on the phone while driving especially at signals (your phone could serve as an indication of your worth and also diverts your attention from your surroundings).
- Don't give lifts to strangers. (Old folk, injury victims, law enforcement personnel, beggars could be disguises used by criminals to prey on their next victim).
- Carry the least number of cards on your person.
- Cards should also have the lowest daily withdrawal limits.
- Cards should be linked to accounts with the least amount of balance.
ONCE YOU ARE HELD HOSTAGE
- Comply with what is asked of you and try to remain calm.
- If you can, try and memorise distinguishing features that can help you identify the kidnappers later.
- When using ATMs try to divert them to one where you know there's a working CCTV camera.
- If you are capable of using the bank phone without detection then do so. Alternatively you may, again without detection if possible, unhook the phone and let it hang and talk in loud tones. (Bank helpline operators are generally provided guidelines on handling calls where a customer could be at risk).
- Entering the wrong pin and resulting in declined transactions could result in aggression by the kidnappers. While you may be genuinely nervous and forget the pin but the kidnapper tend to assume you are stalling for time.
- ATMs do capture or reject cards that are damaged, if you are able to, and then while slipping the card in the slot scratch the magnetic strip. (Remember do so only if it can remain undetected).
- Escape if possible in a manner that doesn't cause you more harm. (Kidnappers are generally armed and will not hesitate to shoot you).
- Do not challenge them physically in any manner unless you know it's your only chance of getting away with your life intact. The key to survival is not antagonizing the assailant.
- Keep in mind assailants avoid working individually. In addition to those visible, they may have backups hidden who will come to their aid.
- Time is of the essence. The longer you keep them in your presence the greater the risk of harm to you as the criminal fears harm coming to him.
You step on the accelerator, hoping to make a quick getaway.
Unfortunately, this almost never works.
The young man pulls the trigger a split-second after the car moves. The window shatters and the bullet pierces your shoulder. As you slump in your seat, the man fires another two shots at you, and then escapes on the bike.
In all probability, you are dead.
Norbert Almeida: Street criminals are generally only after your valuables. Giving up those valuables without resistance maximizes the potential of survival unharmed.
You try to reason with the criminal. Which is the wrong thing to do.
The young man, now clearly nervous, threatens to shoot you, then strikes you over the head. You are actually lucky that's all he did.
Norbert Almeida: Time is of the essence to a criminal. He's not going to hang around to patiently hear your pleas. He also believes he is the one in control of the situation because he's armed. The quicker he's out of there the better it is for both yourself and his safety.
You make a break for it, running down the footpath...
But the youth fires two bullets that hit you in the back.
You collapse and eventually bleed to death just outside the ATM. The young man and his partner escape with ease.
Norbert Almeida: Making a break for it should only be considered if you are absolutely certain your life depends on it and are able to escape with the least possible harm coming to you. Running in plain sight of an armed criminal generally doesn't end well.
"Listen, can I at least get my SIM back? You really don't need it."
Saying this was a very bad idea, especially as you have already agitated the thief.
Norbert Almeida: Time is of the essence to a criminal. He's not going to hang around to patiently hear your pleas. He also believes he is the one in control of the situation because he's armed. The quicker he's out of there the better it is for both yourself and his safety.
The young man pulls the trigger even as you try to accelerate to safety.The window shatters and the bullet pierces your shoulder. As you slump in your seat, the man fires another two shots at you, and then escapes on the bike.
In all probability, you are dead.
Norbert Almeida: Street criminals are generally only after your valuables. Giving up those valuables without resistance maximizes the potential of survival unharmed.