A recent CNN article tells the shocking story of Shane Andersen, an American businessman who was kidnapped and held captive for ransom while living in Monterrey, Mexico.
Andersen was held captive for 36 hours by three masked gunmen who kidnapped him and a co-worker as they were about to embark on a fishing trip on their day off outside of Monterrey. “You just don’t know what second is your last second. It changes your whole life. When you don’t know if you’ll live through it, you’ll live life differently,” Andersen says. “I knew God was with me and I needed to be listening to Him.”
Through various circumstances of meeting a young Mexican boy who helped him and giving the kidnappers both ransom money and his wife’s expensive wedding ring, Andersen was able to narrowly escape with his life.
Until 2005, Monterrey was considered to be one of Mexico’s safer cities. However, in 2010, the city began to change.“...Parts of (Monterrey) turned into a cartel battleground where grenade attacks, shootouts and kidnappings dominated headlines”. Mexico was listed as the country with the most reported kidnappings for ransom in 2013, according to Control Risks.
Andersen had been practicing ways to stay safe in case he ever was kidnapped while living in Mexico. When he was taken captive, he used skills to track where he was by the sun’s position. After escaping from his kidnappers, Andersen says he would only ever go back to the busy tourist areas of Mexico. “Most places I would avoid, especially along the border,” he stated.
Here at ClearCause, we urge you to educate and equip yourself before traveling overseas. Download our ASAPP SOS app today to keep yourself safe and look into various insurance policies including ransom insurance.
One of the most important things about the ASAPP SOS app is that it has a “follow me” feature which enables the student to self-select emergency contacts (parents, program, insurance company, peers, etc). Through GPS, the follow-me feature tracks the students’ smartphone in real time, whenever they want to make others aware of their location. This feature is perfect for students traveling in foreign countries to let their loved ones know where they are. One touch of the “I’m Safe” button will let concerned parents, know their son or daughter is safe.
Why wouldn’t you use every tool to keep yourself safe and secure as you study abroad? The “follow me” feature of our ASAPP SOS app can help loved ones and police find you quickly in case you are kidnapped or harmed. Download the free ASAAP SOS app today from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
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