11 Most Expensive Ransoms Ever Paid

9.John R. Thompson, 1973

Nominal value of the ransom: $3 million

Value in 2015 USD: 14.5 million

In the 1970s, Argentinian Worker’s Revolutionary Party faced the cruel reality of real life. In order to run for the elections, they needed money. But being hardcore communist, instead of fundraisers, they decided on a different approach to obtain it, kidnapping people for ransom. In order to do that, they formed People’s Revolutionary Army (ERP), party’s armed wing. In 1973, they kidnapped John R. Thompson, head of local Firestone branch. The company paid the demanded ransom in the amount of $3 million.

Kunertus/Shutterstock.com