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]

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