![]() Although the actual posting of this content is not illegal at this time, threatening to post compromising photos or videos unless a monetary amount changes hands beforehand is a clear example of extortion. Additionally, there are many sites known as "revenge porn" sites that allow the uploading and posting of pornographic pictures with descriptions, as well as videos with the explicit purpose of embarrassing an ex-girlfriend or boyfriend posted without their consent. ![]() Posting pictures and writings about others that they wouldn't want accessible in the public domain has become a new tool for an extortionist to utilize, demanding money from those who might be hurt by these postings. Using social media, the newest popular form of Internet communication with Websites such as Facebook, Twitter and many others, a new avenue for potential extortionists has been created. In the case of blackmail, the alleged guilty party would have something that the victim wouldn't want made public and the target makes payments to stop the intimidator from doing so. Instilling fear is the main objective of this type of extortion. In the latter, an example of this is when a person collects money from a businessperson, telling them that the money is used to protect their business from vandalism or burglary during hours it is closed while subtlety suggesting that the crime will be perpetrated by the collector of the money if the businessperson doesn't make the payments requested. Other forms of extortion include blackmail and what's known as a "protection racket". It is basically acquiring money or property by threat of physical violence or embarrassment to the victim, a friend or family member of the victim a threat of damage to the victim's property or threatening to damage a person's reputation through various methods. The definition of extortion is obtaining money or property by threat or intimidation even though it may not be represented by a clear or imminent physical danger to the victim. To commit a crime that classifies one of interstate commerce the offense must deal with trade, traffic, or transportation of cash and/or property which begins in one state and concludes in another or an area outside of the United States, or crosses state lines during the process of the crime's commission.įederal extortion laws also apply to threats to federal employees and threats that are made by federal employees. ![]() Although the crime of extortion is a felony in all fifty states it can be tried as a federal crime if it is implemented by any wireless communication including emails and texts, other computer communication as well as by telephone or regular mail, or if it illegally affects interstate commerce by any other means.
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