MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Subcutaneous micro chips against kidnapping.

Brazil's most powerful businessmen mostly from Sao Paulo, have began using subcutaneous microchips which can be easily tracked if they are kidnapped, and have also ordered bullet protection vests for their under 12 children.

The news became public this week following the admittance by Sao Paulo City authorities that 112 people had been kidnapped in 2004 compared to only ten in Rio do Janeiro.

Brazil's business elite are terrorized with the undeterred wave of kidnapping according to Ricardo Chileli from RCI First Security, the first Brazilian company to import the subcutaneous chips from United States.

Forty businessmen already carry the microchips so in case of kidnapping the police can track where they are being retained, said Mr. Chileli.

"My clients are persons who in spite of tight private security and armoured vehicles fear kidnaps", indicated Mr. Chileli who revealed he has a waiting list of 2,000 businessmen and prominent figures.

Besides microchips the anti kidnap programs include cellular phones with GPS, cars with tracking devices and other chips in shoes and belts.

However Sao Paulo City Security Officer Saulo de Castaro Abreu Filho was not so enthusiastic about the booming business and commented that sophisticated equipment "does not contribute to solve the situation and the greater efficiency is based in the safety presumption the user starts to feel with them".