THE BORDER REPORT

So let's say you live in a border town, say Agua Prieta. And let's say you're a well-known businessman who some Web site finds a story about but won't mention your name because the guy running the thing feels a little sorry for you.

So let's say Tuesday night you get a call on your cellphone and let's say the guy on the other end tells you he's kidnapped your teenage daughter and wants $200,000 (USD) for her release. And you're supposed to leave the cash at a money-exchange place downtown.

And so, you and your friends freak a little and gather up the money and take it over and deposit it.

And say, only then do you finally go home. And find your daughter sitting at home. Watching television. Never having been kidnapped. And let's say you're plenty furious and race back to the pickup spot and find the cash has already been withdrawn.

You might think to yourself, "maybe I should have asked to speak to her first."

Or you might not.

-- Michel Marizco