Newsweek reports on the growing trend in the kidnap and ransom market of Americans being kidnapped and taken into Mexico to be held on ransom.

From Newsweek:

Kidnappings of American residents in the Tijuana area south of San Diego have accelerated dramatically since Roberto’s 2005 abduction. There were 11 such incidents in 2006 and 26 in 2007. Over the last few months they’ve spiked to an unprecedented high—and grown ever more violent. Since Thanksgiving at least 18 U.S. residents have been kidnapped and held for ransom in and around Tijuana, according to Kelly Slotter, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s San Diego office. That averages out to about six per month. Late last month Mexican authorities rescued two female real estate agents—one a U.S. resident—who had been kidnapped on Jan. 19 and arrested three kidnappers, according to the FBI. The bureau would not talk specifically about the case or comment on whether the three men were suspects in any of the other abductions.

Globally, the Kidnap and Ransom Market generates an estimated $500 million in profits.

In Mexico, the average ransom demanded by kidnappers is $280,000.