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Overview |
International Travelersand Expatriates experience increased risk ranging from Corruption , Crime , Drugs , Safety , Scams , Security and War , Civil Unrest & Terrorism. These risk elements are different for each country. In many countries tourist and business travelers are targets of scams, hotel theft, car theft, and violent robberies. Expatiates are also targets of government corruption, extortion, home burglary and kidnapping. Some risks can be avoided such as staying clear of declared war zones, areas of civil unrest and major drug producing countries. International Travelers and Expatriates should review each country they plan to visit for the specific risks they will encounter.
Security is a daily event worldwide. The difference for an international travelers or expatriate is that in some countries the problem will find them. In other countries they have to find the problem. Typically finding the problem is the result of a behavior / habit or being at the wrong place at the wrong time.
A general guideline can be used to determine your exposure to security risks in any country or city. Please keep in mind that in one country rates for certain crimes or security problems could be very low but other types of crimes could be very high.
- Low Risk - ( You could be a victim of a crime or violence )
Low levels of corruption. Low levels of general crime, few areas of concentrate increase levels of crime. Not a drug producing country. Low levels of safety concerns. Scams are not prevalent. Kidnap & Ransom is at low levels. Visitors and Expatriates are typically not targets of organized or unorganized crime. Low levels of Kidnap & Extortion.
Examples: Japan, Singapore, and Hong Kong
- Medium Risk - ( You might be a victim of a crime or violence )
Low to medium levels of corruption. Lower to medium levels of general crime, elevated to significant levels of crime in certain cities and areas. Certain types of crime are more common. Not major drug exporting / producing area but could be a consumption country. Scams are in the general population but at lower levels. Low levels of general civil unrest. Lower levels of Kidnap, Ransom & Extortion. Visitors and expatriates might be targets in certain areas and with certain types of crime.
Examples : Canada, United States of America, United Kingdom, and Switzerland
- High Risk - ( You most likely will be a victim of a crime and or violence )
High levels of corruption. High Levels of general crime in the majority of the country. Significant levels of certain types of crime in certain areas. Most likely a drug producing area or transit point. Scams are plentiful. Medium to high levels of civil unrest and terrorism. Medium to high levels of kidnap, extortion and hijack. Visitors and expatriates are targets by unorganized and organized groups.
Examples: Mexico, Brazil, South Africa, Nigeria
- Extreme Risk - ( You will be a victim of a crime and violence)
High levels of corruption. High to extreme levels of crime. Drugs could be involved but may not be the focal point. Scams are originated in this country. A high level of civil unrest, civil war and terrorist acts on groups. If not an area of civil war or civil unrest then it probably is a war zone. High levels of kidnap, extortion & hijack. Visitors and expatriates are trophies by unorganized and organized groups.
Examples: Chechnya, Columbia, Parts of West Africa, Great Lakes region of Africa, Pakistan, Kashmir, Iraq, Afghanistan
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Corruption & Economic Risk |
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Entry of a country that is by nature corrupt will not only put you in legal jeopardy with your assets but also your health and person.
Corruption Index (Transparency International, 2003)
- Most Corrupt : Bangladesh, Nigeria, Haiti, Paraguay, Myanmar
- Lest Corrupt: Finland, Iceland, Denmark, New Zealand, Singapore
Country Risk (Economist Intelligence Unit, 2004)
- Highest Risk: Iraq, Argentina, Venezuela, Turkey, Indonesia
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Crime
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Crime is present worldwide. The type of crime varies such as burglary, shoplifting or automobile thief. In some countries, crime is reported very accurately. This is due to the belief and trust in law enforcement and the courts. People feel that they will get the property back and justice will be accomplished. In some countries crime is not reported due to a lack of police system or little or no legal system.
The Top 5 countries with the highest rates of crime ( Source: Various & Interpol latest information, per 100,000 population)
- Murder: Honduras, South Africa, Columbia, Rwanda, Jamaica
- Sex Assaults: South Africa, Gabon, Tunisia, Maldives, Iceland
- Serious Assaults: Australia, Sweden, South Africa, Belgium, Namibia
- Car Theft: Switzerland, New Zealand, Australia, Sweden, United Kingdom
- Carjacking: South Africa, Columbia, Nigeria, Brazil, Pakistan
- Smash & Grabs: South Africa, Brazil, Nigeria, Columbia, Jamaica
- Armed Robbery: South Africa, Bahamas, Trinidad, Uruguay, Spain
- Beach Theft: The Caribbean, Bali, Australia, Southern Florida USA, Canary Islands
- Theft: New Zealand, Australia, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Norway
- Incidents of Crime: Finland, Sweden, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Iceland
The top five countries with the most murders reported are South Africa, Brazil, India, Russia and Columbia . Note: Numbers and information above do not include countries such as Egypt, Haiti, Mexico, Sudan, Nigeria ( Except for Carjacking )
Increased Forced Entry on Non-Locals - Expatriates
Reported in parts of South & Central America and in parts of Asia . Prevention: Secure Doors, Windows and possible have a safe room in the house, apartment or office.
Computer Crime (Theft, Pirated Software & CyberSpyware)
Laptop theft is increasing worldwide. Thefts target tourist and business travelers. Computer software purchased form retail establishment in some parts of Asia and the Mediterranean might be pirated versions that contain computer viruses. Cyberspyware is in at cyber cafes and hotels worldwide. |
Drugs |
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| If you are not sure if the country that you intend to reside or visit has a serious problem with Corruption & Economic Risk, Crime, Safety and Security then refer to the Drug Index. The Drug index indicates a direct correlation between the amounts of drugs produced, distributed and consumed verse your direct safety.
The Top Drug Producing Countries in the World
- Columbia, Peru, Brazil, Mexico, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Nigeria
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Safety |
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Accidents
The probability of an international traveler or expatriate being involved in a traffic accident is higher than at home due to unfamiliar road conditions, traffic patterns and higher rates of accident in various locations. The probability increases with the duration of the time spent and location factors.
Most likely to Die
Reported deaths based on time and distance per person: Motorcycle, Bicycle, Walking, Automobile, Private Plane, Intercity Bus (not including mini base or taxis, registered or unregistered), Train, Transit Bus, Yacht, Commercial Airplane, Ship (Not including commercial or private fishing vessels) (Sources, Various 2002)
Accident Statistics
- Traffic Deaths : 1,256,000, 94% in low and middle income countries
- Most Crowded Road Networks : Hong Kong, UAE, Macau, Germany, Lebanon
- Most Automobile Accidents: Malawi, Rwanda, South Africa, Costa Rica, Kenya
- Most Automobile Deaths: Malawi, India, Egypt, Kenya, South Korea
- Poisonings Deaths : 315,000, 94% in low and middle-income countries
- Drowning Deaths : 450,000, 97% in low and middle income countries
- Fall Deaths : 285,000; 75% in low & middle-income countries. Europe accounted for the majority of reports in high income countries
- Fire Deaths: 238,000 95% in low & middle income countries
(Various Worldwide 2003 Sources: UN, WHO, EIU
Most Dangerous Commercial Airplane Statistics (Sources, Various 2002)
- Africa, Asia, South America, Central America, Caribbean, Europe, North America
Animal
The Most Dangerous Animals in the World! - Mosquitoes, True Flies, Venomous Snakes, Bees, Tiger & Lion, Crocodile, Elephant, Scorpions, Poison Dart Tree Frog, Jelly Fish / Sea Wasps, Hippopotamus, Cape Buffalo
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Scams
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Scams ( cons ) are very old and some are used more than others. The majority that travelers are faced with need to be accomplished in a fast time period.
- The friendly shopkeeper gives you change in a currency that is no longer in circulation.
- The undercover police office needs to check your currency for counterfeits.
- If a very nice lady is lost or needs help getting up with packages would you help her?
Expatriates fall victim to purchasing fake business or vacation / retirement homes. Buying Real Estate & Business are longer to develop but are very prevalent.
- Business scams might involve you purchasing an existing Restaurant or Bar but the real owner is not the person that is negotiate with you.
- Real Estate scams range from someone selling land that is not theirs to land that building prohibitive. Document forgery is prolific is many countries.
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Security
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| Some security risks such as Kidnap & Ransom are very prevalent in some countries but that does not mean that you are not at risk in other countries. In developed countries wealthy individuals are always at some level of risk. In developing or underdeveloped countries most foriegn travelers and expatriates are at risk. The incident might be for ransom or political. Express Kidnaps and Carjacking are most likely random but they do occur more often in certain countries.
Kidnap & Ransom (Control Risks Group, 2002)
- Most reported: Columbia, Mexico, Russia, Brazil, Philippines
Express Kidnaps (Control Risks Group, 2002)
- Most Reported: Brazil, South Africa, Mexico, Venezuela, Former Soviet Union
Extortion (Various Sources, 2003)
- Most Reported: Russia, Mexico, Brazil, China, Indonesia
Maritime Piracy (Various, IMP 2003)
- Most Reported: Straits of Malacca ( Malaysia ), Indonesia, Bangladesh, India, Nigeria
Maritime Piracy- Favorite Targets (Various, IMP 2003)
- Tankers, Cargo Vessels, Fishing Vessels, Bulk Carriers, Uncategorized Coastal Vessels
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War, Civil Unrest & Terrorism
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| The countries that are involved in open warfare should be avoided. Areas that have recently had warfare or civil unrest should only be visited if it is absolutely necessary. The areas that have war remnants should be visited with extreme caution.
Current Armed Conflict (Various Sources: UN 2003)
- Afghanistan, Iraq, Haiti, Columbia, Central Africa, Chechnya
Recently Suspended Conflicts (Source: Center for Defense Information, 2003)
- Solomon Islands, 2003 Liberia, Conflicts in Cote d'Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone
UN List of the Worlds 21 forgotten Crises, 2004
- Countries include: Angola, Chechnya, Great Lakes region of Africa, Sudan & Zimbabwe Mines (Various Sources, 2003)
Mines
- Bosnia-Herzegovina, Cambodia, Croatia, Nicaragua, Guatemala
Global Terrorism Index (World Markets Research Centre, 2003)
- Columbia, Israel, Pakistan, United States, Philippines
Robert Yong Pelton (Source: Robert Young Pelton 2003)
- Most Dangerous Countries : Chechnya, Columbia Liberia
- Very Dangerous Countries : Afghanistan, Great Lakes Region of Africa (Burundi, Rwanda, Congo), Georgia (Not in the USA), Iraq, Israel/Palestine, Pakistan, Kashmir (Either Pakistan or India), Philippines, South African, Sudan, Yemen, Zimbabwe
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