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URGENT!!! Missing overlander- Feared Kidnapping. URGENT!!! Missing overlander- Feared Kidnapping.
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  #1  
Old 18 Jan 2014
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URGENT!!! Missing overlander- Feared Kidnapping.
Hi Guys,

I have been contacted by Mike Marshal's family in Canada. He has been missing for 6 weeks now.

His bank cards are being used in Yaounde, Cameroon and its being maxed out everyday.

Anyone in Cameroon or have contacts in Cameroon that can assist?

I met Mike in Morocco and planned his trip South with him. He drives a Beige IFA 4x4 truck with a camper style body on the back.

Thanks
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  #2  
Old 18 Jan 2014
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Not good….

- where was he last known to be? We might be able to guess where he last stayed and likely driving destinations from there...
- does he have a local sim card that could be tracked?
- one of the few reasons he could be maxing his cards out each day is if his engine needs replacing or similar. How many days have the cards been maxed out for?
- where in Yaounde would you undertake serious mechanical work or buy expensive parts for his truck?

Fingers crossed...
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  #3  
Old 18 Jan 2014
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Tough news, hope it all turns out ok.

Re: Yaoundé, I don't know of anyone there but if someone can come up with an contact, the first place I would have them check is the Presbyterian Mission (N04°52.783;E011°31.346).

A fairly common stopping place for over landers and if he didn't stop there, then the people passing through may have bumped into him on the overland path. The pictures you provide of him and his vehicle will be a good trigger for the old guy that runs the mission and for the travellers.

Other than that, I would hope the family has put a stop to the cash withdraws and if he is accessing his bank to draw down funds for a significant vehicle repair, that should hopefully lead to a call to his bank or family to see what is going on if he is able to do so.

Fingers crossed everything is ok.
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  #4  
Old 19 Jan 2014
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I will forward photos to friend in bafoussam, as well I travel to yaounde in 3 weeks. If there is anything I can do let me know.

Keep us posted ,
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  #5  
Old 20 Jan 2014
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MountainMan View Post
the Presbyterian Mission (N04°52.783;E011°31.346).
Typo
Presbyterian Mission Campsite, Yaounde is at 03 52.188 11 31.354
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  #6  
Old 20 Jan 2014
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i could be wrong, but some of the central african countrys make it difficult to get sim cards....so could be one reason he was not in contact....and using the card to the max everyday would not be too unusual as the limit is normaly prity small....if he is in yaounde, its possable we is trying to get the gabon or congo visa..worth asking there in there embassys ( but i would not expect them to be too friendly, but if speaking french maybe)

i hope he is ok....do you have records of him arriving in cameroon....nigeria is a tought place...easy to get lost there...
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  #7  
Old 21 Jan 2014
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gazza171 View Post
i could be wrong, but some of the central african countrys make it difficult to get sim cards....so could be one reason he was not in contact.......
That's one reason why I like the Delorme InReach. I can send pre-set SMS messages to family/friends, at no cost, via satellite. I usually send one as I set off each morning and one when I reach my destination for the day. Customised SMS texts can also be sent with a fee attached. It is a great reassurance to family back home to get these short text messages, even when we might be out of range for cell phones. At least they know that everything is OK.

The circumstances of this post are concerning though. Six weeks without making contact seems a long time. Even without a cell phone, there is usually an internet-cafe or some method of getting online to send an e-mail. I hope he's OK!
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  #8  
Old 22 Jan 2014
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Hi van Gs . I have forwarded what little you know onto a friend. He works at a school in bafoussam and can forward the photos to others using social media. Facebook is just as popular in cameroon schools as it is here. As you know it will rain on and off all year in Cameroon, and my guess is he is probably in a hospital sick with malaria unable to really do anything. Was he taking something for malaria, did he actually enter Cameroon, what route did you plan with him ? Does he still have the beard ? No different than here, he may have his credit cards with him at a hospital, but his cards have been hacked and he may not even know it. I would have family contact Duane at the border crossing he planned on taking, as well as the local hospitals, and of course the Canadian embassy / counsler general in Cameroon , peace corps and yaounde police.
Keep us updated with new info. If he does not have the beard send a better photo to circulate in Cameroon. Sim cards are easy to get anywhere in the country, but must be registered within a week or so.
Anton
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  #9  
Old 23 Jan 2014
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hi .
Ive just read in a forum of a forum of a forum ,etc that the missing traveller has been found in good condition. No kidnap , no nothing . He is ok .

If someone is really interested on the link I *think* I can still find the post.

Cheers
j
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  #10  
Old 23 Jan 2014
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I would like to here from van Gs who started this thread... What is going on so people in Cameroon can be updated ASAP !! To not reply to this thread after starting it is .........
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  #11  
Old 25 Jan 2014
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A similar thread wasp osted on our Overlanding West Africa Facebook page. A few days later the guy replied saying he had made contact. So I guess all is ok.
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  #12  
Old 25 Jan 2014
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Aaron Fleury reported on the HU Facebook page that Mike has been found safe.
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  #13  
Old 25 Jan 2014
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Dear Grant,

Thanks for the info. I think that first and foremost we are all extremely happy that he is "safe and sound".

Nevertheless, I share the feeling of antonltd that it would have been van GS' task to give us this information since he started the thread.

And it would be very helpful if there was a little more information on what actually happened. Many people have offered help and have used contacts in the region in order to find Mike. Even if there was nothing serious that made Mike disappear for six weeks, people would like to know. Otherwise, there is a risk that the willingness of fellow overlanders to offer help will be less next time - and then it might really be needed ...

Greetings,
Achim
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  #14  
Old 25 Jan 2014
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Hi Guys,

Sorry I didnt update the thread. My bad.

I dont have any details other than he is safe and in good health. I was waiting for more info to update.

Thanks for all the emails and people getting contacts in Cameroon to assist.

I must be honest and say that it was quite overwhelming how quickly this search went viral.

Great Job! Thanks again.

Regards
Van
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  #15  
Old 25 Jan 2014
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This whole story, like the guy himself, smells from a long distance.
Last edited by Travelbug; 25 Jan 2014 at 17:06.
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