Respond to immediate threats and missing people

Life comes first. This page cannot prescribe the safest behaviour in every confrontation. Seek emergency assistance as soon as it is safe and follow the responders' guidance.

A threat is happening now

If you can move away safely before being confronted, go to a secure staffed place and contact local police. If you are being directly threatened, avoid sudden movements, arguments about property or actions that could escalate danger. Do not endanger yourself or others to preserve a wallet or phone.

Do not assume a hidden wallet, delayed withdrawal or a statement that funds are inaccessible will end coercion. Do not demonstrate security controls to convince an attacker. A prearranged alarm may be useful only if activating it is safe and its response has been professionally planned.

Once safe, get medical care where needed, account for family members and contact police. Tell them if an attacker knows other addresses, family routines or signer identities. Do not return home or to the same hotel simply because the immediate encounter has ended if those places may be compromised.

Someone misses a check in

Use the agreed escalation plan. Try the ordinary channel and a separate known channel; check known travel delays and reach the designated companion, hotel or host without broadly disclosing private information.

If there is a credible threat, a distress signal, a vulnerable missing person or other evidence of danger, contact emergency services immediately. Do not wait for a standard period. For an unexplained delay without other warning signs, use the pre-agreed timing and escalation contact rather than improvising accusations or searches.

Someone claims to have kidnapped a relative

Take the claim seriously. Preserve messages without forwarding them widely. Have a trusted person try the relative through an established channel while you seek police guidance. A voice or video may be fabricated or may come from the real person under coercion. In the Hong Kong case, the victim was reportedly forced to ask family for money under a debt pretext. Recognising the voice is not enough. [S06] [S56]

Do not send a family member to a meeting point or undertake a rescue yourself. Do not make autonomous promises or payments on behalf of others. Contact the established crisis assistance provider if one exists, alongside police. Any ransom or negotiation decision requires professional guidance and consideration of local law and immediate safety.

For the remote contact: coordinate help and maintain a factual log. Do not publish the incident, confront suspects or contact every acquaintance. Give responders the last verified location, time, companions, medical needs and the reason for concern.

Afterwards: arrange clinical and psychological support as appropriate. Let trained professionals manage the incident review; avoid blame and repeated demands for the affected person to retell the event.