Ecuador: New Criminal Modality Identified, watch out for a crying child

You often hear the advice to expats and travelers to Ecuador “use common sense and you will be fine” regarding avoiding crime in this lovely country. However, I have a different perspective about criminal activity in Ecuador. That is, what may make common sense to you in your home country may not be the same in Ecuador or any foreign environment. Criminals in Ecuador are very adept at changing methods to ply their pernicious trade of victimizing others.

In order to improve your situational awareness, be on the lookout for new methods criminals are employing to either rob or harm you. Police in Ecuador have now identified a new modality that thieves, kidnappers, and extortionists have put in their box of tools. I call it the “crying child ploy”

What person would not stop for a crying child on the street to render aid or assistance? It is almost every adult’s nature to help a young crying child. Police in Ecuador are now warning that some children are being put into service by adults to attract potential victims with this modality. A child will be seen crying on the street usually at night when residents are leaving public places such as schools, universities and are asked to be taken home. Authorities are recommending citizens not to take a child to their residence. They prefer that the child be taken to the police or contact them by phone. The threat here is that it may be a ploy to entrap the potential victim to a residence where the good samaritan then may become a victim of a robbery, kidnapping, or rape.

SAFETY, SECURITY, HEALTH IN ECUADOR – READ THIS BOOK 100 POINTS TO CONSIDER BEFORE MOVING OR RETIRING IN ECUADOR