Extortion is a criminal act occurring when a person obtains money, goods, or a desired behavior from another person through threats or infliction of harm to a person, property or reputation. Extortion can be considered a white collar crime because it can be done non-violently through a business or professional setting. However, extortion can also be a violent crime, where threats of violence or actual violence create the intimidation leading to the release of the desired property, goods, or behavior. Extortion is seen commonly in organized crime, when a business or person is required to pay for “protection”.

Extortion is different from robbery because generally the item of value is willingly given to the extortionist, where in a robbery the items are taken by force. Extortionists receive the items willingly because of the preceding threats. Extortionists gain the consent of the victim through illegal means.

There are several methods used in extortion. Blackmail is one form of extortion. Blackmail refers generally to a threat to reveal information that may damage a person’s reputation. The incriminating information can be true or false. The extortionist does not have to act on the threats for it to be considered extortion. The act is extortion because it demands something from the victim in return for not revealing incriminating information. An example of blackmail would be if a person requested payment to keep from revealing personal information, such as an extra-marital affair.

Ransom is another form of extortion. If you hold something of value from the victim only to be returned upon a condition, be it a payment of money, information or other demands. Kidnapping and extortion are often crimes done in conjunction with each other for the purposes of financial gain, obtaining trade secrets, or to make social or political statement. Ransom can be used with kidnapping, but also with personal property or a pet.

Extortion can be done through electronic communication, such as email or message boards. It can be done through the mail, by phone or in person, and can be as simplistic as threatening someone to do something “or else”. Extortion can be a federal crime or a state crime. While the specifics of state laws can vary, extortion is a felony and can lead to imprisonment and fines. The punishment for extortion will be dependent upon the specific circumstances of the act, if violence was involved, the value of the goods and will also vary from one state to another.