These outfits are often working under the protection of the local authorities thanks to rampant bribery.

That's why the initiative has to come from outside.

Local authorities are involved. Sounds like the only outside initiative that will help is Seal Team 6.

According to Wikipedia it seems like China arrested a few of them. It’s a fairly big concern for them since Chinese citizens are often the victims of these foreign “business opportunities”. They will warn you if you’re going to those areas.

It sounds like you’ve developed a very special set of skills, Mr. Neeson.

This situation is a little more complicated than to be solved by a back and forth on the hacker news comment section.

> These outfits are often working under the protection of the local authorities thanks to rampant bribery.

I don’t think I’ll ever visit Cambodia and I can call Cambodia for a few cents a minute as well as their embassies.

Their local authorities can’t block us all!

> I doubt that the kidnappers are reading every message.

The guy working one computer over elbow-to-elbow is gonna narc you out for better treatment, though.