Short answers, pulled from the story.
Kidnapping is the illegal relocation and confinement of a person against their will, accomplished by force, fear, fraud, or deception. It is distinguished from false imprisonment by the intentional movement of the victim to a different location.
Ransom is the most common motive, used by criminal gangs, terrorist groups, and insurgent movements for financial gain. Other motives include sexual assault, domestic violence, bride kidnapping, slavery, removing a person from a cult, and coercion such as forcing religious divorces.
Virtual kidnapping is a scam that involves no actual victim. Perpetrators call many people and convince each that the caller is holding a loved one, often a child, to extract a quick ransom. About 80 victims were identified with losses approaching 100,000 dollars, and most perpetrators trace back to Mexico.
In 2021, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime reported the United States as the country with the most kidnappings, totaling 56,652. In 2018 the UN found Pakistan and England had the highest numbers, while New Zealand had the highest rate among the 70 countries with available data.
Penalties vary widely. Australia allows up to 25 years' imprisonment, Canada allows up to life imprisonment, and Mexico sets 20 to 40 years for holding a hostage, rising to 40 to 70 years if homicide results. The Netherlands allows up to eight years, rising to twelve if the victim is killed, and Pakistan allows up to seven years, or life with rigorous imprisonment for aggravated cases.
In 2009, Phoenix reported over 300 kidnapping cases, with the Los Angeles Times tying many to Mexican drug and human trafficking. A U.S. Department of Justice Inspector General audit found the statistics falsified, since only 59 federally reportable kidnappings actually occurred in 2008.