Modus Operandi by Mauro Corvasce (universal ebook reader txt) 📕

apostle or disciple of God. Cult members appear affectionate during these meetings, but behave so the victim feels intimidation and a need to participate. This is usually done by telling the victim of all the good and miracles performed by the spiritual leader.

The brainwashing usually starts off with an overload of information designed to cause confusion and a belief that friends and family are outsiders and are attempting to, in some way, harm or prevent the spiritual transformation the victim is seeking. This is often performed by sleep deprivation. Upon entering a cult, meetings and worship will continue for days. The cultists will not actually say that you cannot sleep, but they will tell the victim that to achieve enlightenment, he must continue to worship no matter how tired he feels. Depriving the victim of water, food and bathroom facilities re-enforces the brainwashing. The cultists do this by explaining that the ability to control one's basic needs is the first step to controlling one's thoughts.

The victim will not be given a chance to act on their own without constant supervision, until the cult feels it is safe to give the victim some freedom. The victim is informed that to become a true member, he must release all outside financial bonds, properties and money to the organization. All of the victim's finances are eventually turned over to the group and all outside contact with family members ceases.

The group suppresses all efforts by family members and law enforcement authorities to personally contact the victim. The victim may be moved around from state to state. All financial and basic needs are provided by the cult so the victim is dependant on the group for mere survival.

When Mauro worked as a detective sergeant for a police department, he was responsible for fingerprinting and performing background checks on all people entering the town for solicitation purposes. This was done by order of the township for the protection of the citizens of the community.

One summer Saturday morning, a group of around twenty-five members of a well-known religious cult was reported soliciting and selling poor-quality silk flowers. The patrols located the supervisor of the group who was ordered to report with all members to police headquarters for processing.

The permits cost five dollars each, which was paid by the group leader, and the only identification the other group members had was a picture ID issued by the cult. While filling out the permit application, Mauro discovered they were from all over the world—Australia, South Africa, Europe and Asia.

When dealing with religious cults, one must realize that the leaders have a great deal of control over their victims. This was proven by Jim Jones and the People's Temple; Jones ordered all 912 of his followers to commit suicide rather than return to the United States.

Fanatics and Terrorists

Fanatics and terrorists use kidnapping in an attempt to gain publicity for their cause. They will also use it to frighten people and to achieve financial gains. These people are the most dangerous because they truly believe in their cause and feel that what they are doing is right.

Mauro interviewed a former member of a well-known terrorist group who was in prison. When Mauro asked him how he got involved, he stated that he truly believed that his group was going to overthrow the United States government, and he, along with other members, would do anything to accomplish this goal.

He was incarcerated for his involvement in robbing armored cars. The money obtained by robbing these vehicles was used to supply items the group needed to survive. These items included safehouses in different areas of the country, transportation, basic living staples, as well as weapons and explosives.

While questioning him further, Mauro asked him how he would overthrow not only the law enforcement community, but the military and the common people of our nation. He replied that his group was strong enough to start the revolution and that once it was started, the nation would join their cause. He also stated that he felt like a colonialist during the Revolutionary War, and that he would be responsible for overthrowing the U.S. government, just as his forefathers declared their independence from England.

These types of groups will normally make a dramatic kidnapping to increase their publicity. They wear military clothes and carry military weapons. We all remember the kidnapping and eventual enlistment of Patty Hearst in the Symbionese Liberation Army. Once kidnapped, she was brainwashed through isolation; she was left alone for days at a time locked in a closet. She was told when to eat, when to shower, when to use the bathroom, and all this time, she was blindfolded and tied up by her captors.

Political propaganda was recited to her over and over, and she was told that her lifestyle and that of her family was unjust. Eventually, all this physical abuse and mental anguish took its toll and she began to accept the teachings of her captors. She was so involved with the organization at one point that she participated in violent criminal activity.

A terrorist will never avoid a conflict and will be willing to sacrifice their comrades or themselves for their cause. Their victims will probably be sacrificed or be turned into a group member if held long enough.

Terrorist kidnappings are well planned and carried out with military precision. A plan will be formulated taking advantage of weak security precautions. This may occur when the target is dropping off his child for piano lessons or when he is rendezvousing with a mistress.

As our victim reaches the location of the kidnapping, the passenger of a motorcycle fires a handgun at the driver or tires to stop the vehicle. Once the vehicle is stopped, the kidnappers jump out and break the vehicle's windshield with a baseball bat or large stone. A car or van will arrive to transport the victim away from the scene quickly. The victim is secured with handcuffs or duct tape placed around his hands, feet and mouth. The victim will be