Real Estate Agent in India Kidnapped For Ransom
This crime against a real estate agent happened in India, January 2023.
Sadly, when I look at the details, it sounds all too familiar. I am so very tired of reading about the exact same crimes happening to real estate agents everywhere.
Expert-led safety education and training needs to be prioritized. It should be mandated. We need to stop waiting for news headlines before scheduling training. I stand ready to help.
I had the honor of being selected to present my "Lessons Learned, Crimes Against Real Estate Agents" interactive safety program on the national stage for The National Association of Realtors #NARNXT at the annual conference in San Diego in 2021.
I have expanded and am currently creating safety training internationally.
By sharing these real stories along with my expert and actionable safe work practices, I believe agents can learn so that they aren't repeated. However, we will never blame the agents who are victimized.
I always speak about the fact that male agents have been targeted and should also prioritize safety training, too.
This agent in India met with strangers to see a property. They robbed him, kidnapped him and then demanded a ransom.
He made partial ransom payments via bank transfer, then negotiated with one of the kidnappers for his release. After being robbed again and paying more, he escaped and he promptly reported the crime to law enforcement. 11 of the criminals were arrested.
THE LESSONS LEARNED:
1. Have a safety process to screen new clients. Include background checks via screening services, Google and social media research, and established apps that can provide criminal background checks in minutes.
2. Have a first meeting with the goal of increasing ●witness potential●. This meeting can occur virtually, which everyone is doing these days, or in a public place where you are known (as opposed to a crowded location with no one paying attention) in your office or an industry partner's office.
3. Have someone accompany you, if possible, since there is safety in numbers. Hint: New agents are always looking for the opportunity to learn.
4. Share your schedule utilizing shared calendars like Google Calendar and use Google Maps to share your location in real time with your safety partner.
● What's your #1 safety practice? 🤔
Excerpt from the article:
"In January, this year, the main accused got in touch with the victim and enquired about sale of the villa and convinced him that there was a buyer. On February 14, he asked the victim to come the next day to the Balaji Bay Mount Road to show him the villa property.
Convinced that the accused was a genuine buyer, the victim arrived at the designated spot in his car.
On arrival, Venkata Hemanth, Pandranki Prasad and Gudaparthi Chinna made the victim board another car and tied him up and threatened with dire consequences.
They then forcibly took away his gold chain and four gold rings and also demanded a payment of ₹30 lakh for his release, after taking him to a layout on the city outskirts..."
