Traveler kidnap warning

AMERICAN citizens are prime targets for kidnappings abroad as Islamic extremists search for more money to carry out their horrific acts, the federal government warned.

The State Department urged Americans on Friday to be on high alert while traveling abroad, fear- ing ISIS and other terrorist groups have “increased attempts to finance their operations through kidnapping for ransom.”

“Terrorist groups have stepped up their rhetoric calling for additional attacks or kidnapping attempts on Westerners,” officials said in a statement.

The most vulnerable international travelers are from countries like France and Germany, whose governments have a history of paying ransoms to terrorist groups.

The U.S. has a longstanding policy of refusing to submit to payment demands, but officials warned that Americans traveling abroad could still be vulnerable.

ISIS has stepped up its rhetoric against the U.S. for its consistent volley of air strikes against militants in Syria and Iraq.

It is unclear how many Ameri- cans ISIS is holding hostage, but the fighters have executed two kidnapped journalists, James Foley and Steven Sotloff, as retaliation for U.S. intervention in the Middle East.

The Islamic State militants demanded $132 million in ransom from Foley’s family and his employer, the GlobalPost. The captors also demanded a multimillion-dollar sum for Sotloff.

The group has also threatened to kill Peter Kassig, an aid worker and former U.S. soldier, if the U.S. does not end its military campaign against the fighters.

Extremists are likely to target overseas areas where large numbers of travelers gather, authorities said. Kidnappings and attacks could take place at sporting events, hotels and other tourist destinations, officials warned.