Missing backpacker may have been kidnapped

A British backpacker missing in Mexico is feared to have been abducted after an unknown person took money from her bank account.

A British backpacker missing in Mexico is feared to have been abducted after an unknown person took money from her bank account.

Brenda Searle, 27, has not been seen since the start of September when she failed to meet her Dutch boyfriend in Isla Mujeres, an island resort near to the tourist town of Cancun.

The last her family, who live in the Netherlands, heard from her was in an e-mail on 3 September when she said she had booked a hotel room, but it is not certain whether she arrived there.

An investigation by Mexican and Dutch police found that her credit card and bank account had been used. The day after she vanished £270 was taken from her account and on 8 September £800 was spent on her credit card.

Ms Searle's work colleagues at the internet company Interactive Media Group have set up a website to help the search at www.abfab.nl/brenda.

The Foreign Office said it was notified that Ms Searle, who also lived in the Netherlands, was missing by her boyfriend on9 September. A spokesman said the investigation was being led by Dutch police.