Meaning to remove a person against their will and hold in false imprisonment, kidnapping for money is still a common occurrence in many parts of the world today. Places such as Mexico and Colombia have been described as the "Kidnapping Capital of the World".

That dubious honour today is held by Iraq. Kidnapping is also prevalent in some parts of the world as a means for obtaining slaves and human trafficking is reported to be the fastest growing criminal industry across the globe. These forms of kidnap see profits of billions of dollars for the perpetrators.