red24alert response - express kidnapping in Argentina
A distressed member contacted red24 for urgent assistance after her daughter was viciously attacked by two armed intruders at her hotel in Buenos Aires during a backpacking holiday.
The traumatic incident had been reported to local police, and the member was now anxious for her daughter's safe return home. red24's security manager immediately contacted the British Embassy in Argentina, where the victim was seeking shelter. It was ascertained that during the attack, all of the victim's money including her credit cards had been stolen, and she was forced to disclose the PIN number of her bank cards. Her passport had also been damaged. Our security manger contacted the member to update her on the situation and assured her that red24 would ensure her daughter's safe passage home. Within an hour and a half of initial contact, a red24 security consultant in Buenos Aires met with the victim at the British embassy, which was able to issue the member's daughter with an emergency passport.
After escorting the victim to a nearby hospital for a medical check and treatment, our specialist arranged a hotel room for her; an adjoining room had been booked for our consultant in the event that she needed any assistance. The following morning, the victim was accompanied to the airport, where she was placed on the shortest flight to the UK. The airline ticket had been arranged and purchased by red24 as an electronic fund transfer by the member would take several days.
Throughout the incident, our Crisis Response Centre (CRM) provided regular updates to the member by telephone, and once the victim was safely reunited with her family, our senior security adviser personally visited them at home to assure them of red24's continued support, should they require it. They were re-assured that should they require any counselling, red24 would be able to arrange for a counsellor. The whole family expressed deep appreciation for red24's assistance and intervention at a time when they felt most vulnerable. They complimented the professionalism shown by all the staff of red24, saying the service was second to none and of the highest value.
