Extortion

In law, extortion is a criminal offense. It is obtaining money, property, or service from a person or institution, through coercion. This may be by threat to a victim, to their property or family. It may also be by false claim (such as claiming to be a public official).^[1] Another form of extortion is offering a business owner "protection"; for example, to keep the business free from vandalism or burglary.^[2] In all states of the United States extortion is a felony.^[2]

Extortion may be in person, by telephone, mail, e-mail, text message or any form of wireless communication. If the extortion involves any form of interstate commerce, it may be a federal crime.^[2] It may involve the threat of hacking.^[3]

Extortion, like robbery and blackmail, are crimes that involve obtaining property by illegal means.^[4] The most serious of the three is robbery because it usually involves violence against the victim. Blackmail is a form of extortion. The threat is usually making damaging or embarrassing information public if demands are not met.^[2] The legal definition of extortion varies from one jurisdiction to another. In some states, extortion is only charged against public officials while the same act committed by a private individual is charged as blackmail.^[5]

1. ↑ "Extortion". NOLO. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3} "Extortion". FindLaw. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
3. ↑ "New extortion scam aimed at banks in the European Union". Dell SecureWorks, Inc. Archived from the original on 16 May 2013. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
4. ↑ James Minick (14 June 2013). "Robbery, Extortion, and Blackmail Offenses". Minik Law. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
5. ↑ "Extortion and Blackmail Law". HG.org. Retrieved 8 December 2015.