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Editorials Opinion and Analysis
Recognising when you are under surveillance
PERSONAL SURVEILLANCE AND TARGETING
Most travellers visiting a country for legitimate business or tourism have nothing to fear from host-nation surveillance. In some cases, terrorists or criminals may pose a greater threat but the resident businessperson is perhaps more at risk especially when companies are engaged in high level negotiations.
Background
- Terrorists may shadow an intended victim at length and with great patience before initiating an attack or abduction. Travellers who are at a destination for a few days or weeks are unlikely to be directly targeted, but could become unintended victims.
- In most cases, two or more people are targeted for terrorist attacks. Targets are often chosen based on the probability of success and the vulnerability of a victim at a specific time.
- Types of surveillance: Stationary (at a hotel, residence or work, or along a route); Following (on foot or by vehicle); Monitoring (of telephone and mail); Searching (of luggage, personal effects and even trash); Eavesdropping (electronic and personal).
- Initial surveillance efforts may be clumsy and easily spotted by a traveller. This may be intentional on the part of the surveillant in order to test the target's awareness.
Take Security Precautions
- Never discuss personal information, your itinerary, or your modes of transportation within earshot of unknown people.
- Always speak guardedly and caution your children to do the same. Surveillants consider children to be a prime source of information.
- Be circumspect with members of the press, as terrorists often pose as journalists.
- Do not submit to interviewers or photographers.
- Repeated contacts with a local or third-country national, who is not involved in your visit, may indicate they have more than just a passing interest in you.
- Be suspicious of the accidental encounter with an unknown local national who strikes up a conversation and uses excuses to begin a friendly relationship. Such excuses include wanting to practice English or another language; talking about your country of origin or your employment; buying you a drink because they have taken a liking to you; talking to you about politics or religion.
- Memorise emergency numbers, know how to use the public telephone system and carry the appropriate change, tokens, or cards for phone calls.
Be Observant
- Use your "sixth sense" about your surroundings.
- Know what is normal in your immediate area and along your routes of travel. If you know what is ordinary, you will notice something extraordinary. Examples include people who are in the wrong place or dressed inappropriately; cars, vans, or other vehicles parked in strange locations; inappropriate or unnecessary road, utility, or construction work.
- Note people near your hotel who appear to be repair personnel, utility crew teams, even peddlers. They may not be what they seem.
- Be particularly observant whenever you leave your hotel, the prime location to begin surveillance of you and your routine.
- Be extra vigilant if your hotel or other lodging is located on a one-way street, making the surveillant' job of following your car very easy.
- Determine if a pattern is developing, with specific vehicles appearing in sequence.
- Note if cars suddenly pull out of parking places or side streets when you pass.
- In elevators, watch for anyone who waits for you to select your floor, then pushes a button for the one just above or below yours.
Be a Difficult Surveillance Target
- Make their job more difficult by being unpredictable.
- Eat at different times and places.
- Stagger your entertainment, leisure, sports, and social activities.
- Vary your modes of transportation and know the potential choke points on your routes. Be aware of other automobiles or motorcycles as you enter bottleneck areas.
- Vary the times you leave from and return to your hotel.
- Search out safe havens you can pull into along the route.
- Avoid using unlicensed cabs or cabs that appear out of nowhere.
- Do not permit taxi drivers to deviate from your desired route.
- Believe that your telephone is always being monitored: keep conversations short and impersonal; do not reveal embarrassing information about yourself or others; try not to discuss your itinerary (rather do that in person).
If You Are Being Watched
- If you become aware of surveillance, do not let those watching you know you are aware of them.
- Never confront them.
- Do not hurriedly try to lose the followers.
- Report any suspicious activity promptly to your embassy or consulate
This information is provided as a general guide only and should not take precedence over company security group provided recommendations.
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