WIRED contributing editor Scott Carney interviewed an ocean-going hijacker for his story on the economics of Somali piracy. [more inside]
posted by gman on Jul 28, 2009 - 21 comments

Lost Dog Held for $10K Ransom
An elderly man went out for a walk with his dog, on the way home, the dog disappeared. A friend helped him make some Lost Dog posters and he waited by the phone for some good samaritan to return his only companion.
Instead, he got a call from someone demanding $10,000 or he'd never see his dog again. He gathered up half of his savings and went to pay the ransom. The dognapper brandished a knife, took the money and said the dog was tied up to a post nearby. It wasn't.
He went home brokenhearted until he heard a car door slam outside and his dog came running up to greet him. Now he wonders if the dognappers were putting him on the whole time.
posted by fenriq on Jul 30, 2004 - 24 comments

Six million dollars and a hostage is free. Now others are asking the Philippines for similar arrangements.
posted by four panels on Jul 20, 2004 - 63 comments

MetaFilter as a ransom note. Crazified by crazy sites. [via Adactio]
posted by mathowie on Nov 16, 2003 - 11 comments