Ms. Hong declined to say whether the kidnappers had demanded a ransom, but she said, "Chinese gangs always target Chinese restaurant owners."

They say gangs of youngsters have been targeting elderly people in the town centre and stealing purses from them.

Irish gangs targeted blacks because of competition for work.

At the airport, Avis was warning car renters that gangs might be targeting tourists on nearby roadways.

The Guatemalan authorities have arrested five suspects in the January attack, one of whom is reported to have told detectives that the gang specifically targeted tour buses.

The gang is still targeting smaller services, however.

Again in 2011 where a gang targeted a 12-year-old boy for being "ginger" just after school had finished.

A gang targeted the lad at a local rail station after he left Lenzie Academy in Dunbartonshire.

Metal theft is estimated to cost the economy £770 million every year as gangs target the transport system, public buildings such as schools and hospitals and places of worship.

Kidnap gangs generally target rich Salvadorians rather than visitors.