Kidnappings: kidnappings in taxis
Kidnappings with the use of taxis are called secuestros express in Ecuador. These kidnappings work as follows: the victim takes a taxi and the taxi driver threatens the victim with a weapon to withdraw money from an ATM. The victims are usually left behind in an isolated area. Sometimes the victims are killed. This type of kidnapping can take place anywhere in Ecuador but especially Guayaquil is known for these kidnappings.
Recommendations:
- Ask your accommodation (hotel, Airbnb, etc.) to arrange a taxi. This is the preferable way to take a taxi because the management of accommodations knows trustworthy drivers.
- If you are a woman, you can use the services of taxi company Go Girl in Guayaquil and Quito. This is a company by women for women.
- Services like Uber and inDriver are safer than official taxis because these platforms have good recommender systems. In Cuenca, it's safe to use the official taxis via the applications Cuenca Taxi and Azutaxi. These applications register all movements.
- Avoid the use of illegal taxis (other than via Uber and inDriver).
Kidnappings: kidnappings in case of robberies
In 2022 so far, there have been several cases of kidnappings as part of robberies in Cuenca and its surroundings. In these cases, the victims went to a place to buy or sell goods (a car or household goods for example). When the money was given or the goods were handed over, the victims were kidnapped and left behind in an isolated area. In one case the criminals came to the house of a car owner to take a test drive. During the test drive, the owner of the car was overpowered and was left behind near a village in the rural area of Cuenca.
Recommendations:
- Don’t pay large amounts of money in cash. Ask for a cheque or a money transfer. Virtually all legitimate businesses in Ecuador have bank accounts. Insist if needed.
- Ask the police for its free accompaniment service when traveling with valuables. You can ask for this service by calling 911.
- Don’t invite strangers to your home in case of selling or buying something.
Kidnappings: kidnappings for ransom
Kidnappings for ransom are not very common but every year there are several cases. In 2022 so far, there have been reports from Guayaquil, Manta, Ibarra, and the border area with Colombia. Wealthy businessmen are usually the targets. In the area around the border of Colombia, there are also cases of foreigners who became victims. The criminals behind kidnappings for ransom are usually criminal gangs. The police takes these cases seriously.
Recommendations:
- Avoid the area around the border with Colombia. The road to the Rumichaca border station is safe.
- Keep a low profile in the provinces of Esmeraldas, Manabí, Guayas, Los Ríos, Santo Domingo, Carchi, Imbabura, and Sucumbíos.