Extortion facts for kids
Extortion is a type of crime where someone tries to get something valuable from another person or a business. This could be money, property, or even a service. They do this by using threats or by making false claims. For example, someone might threaten to harm a person, their property, or their family if they don't get what they want. Another way is by pretending to be a public official to trick someone into giving them something. Sometimes, it involves offering a business owner "protection" to keep their business safe from damage or theft. In the United States, extortion is considered a very serious crime.
Extortion can happen in many ways. It might be done in person, over the phone, through mail, email, or even text messages. If the extortion involves communication across different states, it can become a federal crime, meaning the national government gets involved. It can also involve threats like hacking into someone's computer or online accounts.
Extortion is similar to other crimes like robbery and blackmail because they all involve getting things from people in illegal ways. Robbery is usually the most serious because it often involves violence. Blackmail is a specific type of extortion. With blackmail, the threat is usually about making embarrassing or damaging information public if demands are not met. The exact legal meaning of extortion can be a bit different depending on the state or country.
Contents
What is Extortion?
Extortion means forcing someone to give you something by using threats. It's not about asking nicely or making a fair deal. It's about making someone afraid or worried so they will do what you want.
How Threats Are Used
The threats used in extortion can be about many things. They might be about hurting someone physically. They could also be about damaging their property or even their reputation. Sometimes, the threat is to tell secrets or spread lies about someone if they don't agree to the demands.
False Claims and Tricks
Another way extortion happens is through false claims. This means someone pretends to be someone they are not, like a police officer or a government official. They might say you owe them money or that you've done something wrong, even if it's not true. They use these lies to scare you into giving them money or property.
Extortion and Businesses
Businesses can also be targets of extortion. Sometimes, criminals offer "protection" to a business. This means they promise to keep the business safe from vandalism or theft. But the truth is, the criminals themselves are often the ones who would cause the problems if the business owner doesn't pay them. This is a form of extortion because the business owner is paying to avoid harm that the criminals might cause.
Extortion in the Digital Age
With the rise of the internet and mobile phones, extortion has also changed. It can now happen online through emails, social media, or text messages. Cyber extortion involves threats related to computers and online information. For example, someone might threaten to hack into your computer or release your private information if you don't pay them.
Extortion, Robbery, and Blackmail
It's helpful to understand the differences between similar crimes:
- Extortion: Getting something by using threats or false claims. The threat doesn't always involve immediate physical violence.
- Robbery: Taking something directly from a person by using force or threats of immediate violence. This usually happens face-to-face.
- Blackmail: A specific type of extortion where the threat is to reveal embarrassing or damaging information about someone if they don't meet demands.
All these crimes are illegal ways to get property or money from others.
Images for kids
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Loot and Extortion. Statues at Trago Mills, poking fun at the Inland Revenue.
See also
In Spanish: Extorsión para niños
