Mexico is now second only to Colombia for the number of kidnappings annually, and the crime has become virtually a bonafide business as so few kidnappers are ever caught. Most victims do not report the incidents because they fear that police are either involved in the crime or will mishandle any rescue attempt. Express-kidnappings, when criminals abduct individuals and drive them from ATM to ATM to unload their bank accounts over the course of a few hours, occur at the rate of about 4,000 a year and have happened in virtually every major Mexican city. One way to avoid becoming a victim is to use ATMs only inside buildings and to patronize only official, licensed taxis. Unlicensed taxis are commonly used in such crimes.
