Kidnapping is defined as the illegal abduction and confinement of a person against their will, distinguished from false imprisonment by the intentional movement of the victim. A primary motivation for this serious crime is demanding a ransom, often carried out by criminal gangs, terrorist organizations, or insurgent groups seeking financial gain or to exert control. Notable forms include "express kidnapping," where small, immediate ransoms are sought, and "tiger kidnapping," which involves forcing a victim to commit another crime.

A unique modern variant is virtual kidnapping, a scam where fraudsters convince individuals that a loved one has been abducted to extort quick ransoms, often without an actual victim. This deception, which began targeting English speakers around 2015, has resulted in nearly $100,000 in losses for approximately 80 identified victims. One perpetrator, Yanette Rodriguez Acosta, was notably sentenced to seven years in prison for her role in this type of fraud. Historically, and still in some regions, kidnapping has also been a means to obtain slaves or money through ransom.