What is extortion?
Extortion is a form of crime in which someone is forced to give up money, goods, services, or other benefits under the threat of violence or other punishment. It takes place in both the personal and professional sphere and can have serious consequences for those involved.
Forms of extortion
Extortion can take different forms depending on the method and purpose:
Financial extortion
Financial extortion is the process of forcing someone to hand over money or financial benefits through threats or coercion. This often includes threatening violence or damage to property if demands are not met.
Sexual extortion
Sexual extortion, also known as "sextortion," is the process of coercing someone through threats or coercion to perform sexual acts, send sexually explicit materials, or perform other sexual favors.
Information extortion
Information extortion is the process of coercing someone into meeting certain demands by threatening to release sensitive or embarrassing information about that person.
Although extortion is similar to blackmail, there are clear differences. Blackmail focuses more on threatening to reveal information without the direct threat of violence, while extortion often involves physical violence or the threat of physical violence.
Online extortion
In the digital age, extortion has taken a new form: online extortion. This modern variant uses the internet and digital communication tools to threaten and manipulate victims. For example, cybercriminals may threaten to release personal photos or information unless their demands are met. This form of extortion can be particularly stressful because the reach and speed of digital media means that personal information can be spread worldwide in the blink of an eye. It is essential to be aware of the risks of online interactions and take appropriate security measures to protect yourself against such attacks.
What is threat?
Threat is a specific element within extortion that focuses on the use of threats. It involves forcing someone to meet certain demands by threatening negative consequences. This can range from physical damage to persons or property to the disclosure of compromising information. Threats play a crucial role in the power dynamics between the blackmailer and the victim, with the latter being pressured to act against his will.
Characteristics of an extortionist
An extortionist uses intimidation or threats to gain control over his victim. Often the blackmailer is someone who knows the victim's vulnerabilities well and uses them against them to achieve their goal.
Policy against extortion in organisations
organisations can protect themselves against extortion by applying a clear integrity policy. Important parts of this are:
- Integrity policy: Clear rules and codes of conduct that promote ethical conduct within the organisation.
- Whistleblower scheme: A safe and often anonymous arrangement where employees can report abuses such as extortion. The guidelines for the whistleblowing policy and the whistleblowing policy are described in the Whistleblowers Protection Act.
- Internal Reporting Procedure: Procedures for reporting incidents of extortion within the organisation.
- Confidential advisor: A designated one confidential counsellor within the organisation where employees can go with confidential matters integrity en undesirable behaviour including extortion.
I'm being extorted
If you are being extorted, it is important to seek help immediately. You can inform the authorities or someone you trust within your organisation, such as the confidential counselor. Extortion, which involves threats of violence or other harm, is a crime. Start by building a file against your attacker and continue to build the file to report. If reporting is not possible, please contact the relevant supporting organisations.
It is important not to comply with the blackmailer's demands; paying or giving in rarely stops the extortion. Avoid all contact with your attacker, both in person and online, and do not respond to their attempts to communicate with you. Install filters on your devices, block the attacker's contact information on all platforms, and adjust your privacy settings to protect your network.
Inform friends and family and consider creating new, secure accounts that the extortionist does not know about. Secure all devices with strong, unique passwords and cover your webcam to further ensure your privacy. Once again the most important thing is to seek help.
Criminal law extortion
Extortion is punishable under criminal law. It is considered a serious crime where the perpetrator has threatened violence or serious harm to obtain something of value without consent.
Threatening is a complaint offense and is only prosecuted if the victim reports it, unlike extortion, which can also be prosecuted by the Public Prosecution Service without a report.
Punishment for extortion
The punishment for extortion can range from fines to prison terms, depending on the severity of the act and the specific circumstances of the case. In serious cases, extortion can lead to long prison sentences.
Closing note
Extortion is a serious crime that can have a psychological and financial impact on its victims. It is important that both individuals and organisations are aware of the risks and have strong preventive measures and policy plans in place to combat this form of crime.
