[bert]

She is close, but no cigar.

The question for investigation is concerned with whether there was an actual abduction and ransom or whether there was payment to the insurgent kitty laundered as a ransom and paid by Italian dupes lacking information to tell the difference.

[concrete is my business]

Is there a third option?

Could the Italian "dupes have been in on it?

Could the Italian dupes have gotten a cut?