fake kidnapping; staged kidnapping
Refers to a kidnapping that is not real, often for fraud, extortion, or a hoax. The term 狂言 (kyōgen) here means 'fake' or 'sham', as in 狂言強盗 (fake robbery).
The police are investigating the possibility of a staged kidnapping.
A fake kidnapping for insurance money was uncovered.
狂言強盗 refers to a fake robbery, while 狂言誘拐 specifically means a fake kidnapping.
誘拐 is a real kidnapping; 狂言誘拐 is a staged or fake one.
Compound of 狂言 (kyōgen, 'fake' or 'sham') and 誘拐 (yūkai, 'kidnapping'). The word likely emerged in modern Japanese to describe staged kidnapping schemes.