Of special interest is a bait-and-switch ruse where (mostly older) investors are told to liquidate safe, low-yielding investments to buy annuities, which carry steep commissions and expenses and lock investors in for years.

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It builds on the standard kidnapping and ransom policy by bringing in consultants to train crews in security, prepare emergency safe rooms where crews can lock themselves in until a hijacked ship can be retaken, and provide round-the-clock advice to captains on safe routes to take.

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