Brazil: kidnappings in São Paulo state reach the highest level in 15 years

The number of kidnappings reached the highest level in 15 years in the State of São Paulo (SP). A survey with the data was published by the newspaper O Estadão on the morning of this Tuesday (17).

According to the survey, there were 165 records from January to September 2022, compared to 160 cases throughout 2021.

The last peak of kidnappings was in 2007, with 323 cases. The index is higher in the capital, with 98 occurrences in the analyzed period.

The discharge of cases is related to Pix, according to the newspaper’s survey.

The “Love Coup”, in which the victim is ambushed after making an appointment through a dating app, corresponds to more than 90% of investigations.

“Unlike the classic kidnapping, which carries more risks for the criminal, this kidnapping in which the victims have to make bank transfers through the applications is much safer and more profitable [for the criminal]”, said researcher Alan Fernandes, from the Brazilian Forum of Public Security, to Estadão.

Total arrests by the Anti-Kidnapping Division rose from 138 in 2021 to 303 last year.

Kidnappings were underreported due to other types of extortion.

Between January and September 2022, 5,000 cases of extortion were recorded in the state.

With information from Gazeta Brasil