Blackmail is a criminal act in which the perpetrator uses threats or violence to force someone into acting against their interests. The demands of this coercion vary depending on how much leverage they have over you, and what kind it would be (embarrassing/damaging information).
Table of Contents:
What is Blackmail?
Blackmail is a terrible thing to experience. It can be embarrassing, uncomfortable, and even scary at times for those who are targeted by it. But don’t worry, we’re here with some helpful tips on how to get rid of blackmailers and how you might manage the situation.
Blackmail characteristics:
- The Perpetrator
- The Victim
- The Demand
- The Threat
What Does Blackmail Mean?
Being sextorted as well as blackmailed means that someone keeps a secret in exchange for money.
It’s a crime that can have serious consequences. The person who performs the act of blackmailed may find themselves in jail, or for a great sum of money.
The blackmailer has the power to make someone do what they want by threatening them with a secret that person doesn’t wish revealed. In this way, it’s not just finances or some other form of payment – but an actual threat against one’s personal safety and well-being if he reveals said information.
The line between legal and unethical behavior becomes increasingly blurry when secrets are threatened to be released. Whether true or not, it’s anyone’s guesses what the public will think about you if they find out your personal information.
What’s The Difference Between Blackmail and Extortion?
Extortion and Blackmail are both forms of crimes that involve making threats to extort money, property, or services from a victim. Extortion is a crime of violence while blackmail can be less intense. It also involves coercion to obtain money or property from a victim. Like extortion, blackmail is classified as a theft crime. It involves the threat instead of force or violence for financial gain.
The difference between extortion and blackmail is that in the first instance, a person obtains money or property from another through coercion. However, there are differences between them too. Blackmail occurs when an offender threatens violence for their demands whereas extorting one testimony out of them can also involve threats to release secret information about you if they don’t comply with what’s being asked for – this kind lasts longer than just giving something up quickly because it causes more damage over time emotionally as well physically.
There are many similarities between the threats of these two crimes, which means that some states have laws covering both criminal offenses at once.
Is Blackmail a Crime?
Yes, Blackmail is considered a form of theft. It’s not quite robbery because there isn’t an immediate fear of physical injury to the victim. It has one major difference.
Robbers are after anything that might appreciate in value (a necklace), blackmailers will only accept money from their targets if they have some degree of control over them already.
Blackmail is defined as the act of using secret information to force someone into doing something they don’t want. There are several types:
- hatred;
- contempt;
- ridicule;
- job loss;
- financial ruin;
- loss of social standing;
The blackmailers threaten their target in order for them to receive money, or goods in exchange for their silence on the damaging information.
What To Do If You’re Being Blackmailed?
The risk of personal data being compromised is high in today’s world where everything can be so easily shared on social media.
Social media has become a treasure trove for hackers and scammers. You only need to look at apps like WhatsApp or Instagram. If you’re not careful, it’s easy to let people into your personal life and information.
The moment someone starts threatening you in an attempt to get a demand met or financial gain, that’s blackmail – and it’s one of the most serious crimes around.
The trauma of internet sextortion can be devastating to a person’s life, both financially and socially. It also causes extreme psychological damage.
If you’re being blackmailed on Facebook or any other social media or fear that maybe people might try and use your personal information against you, there are a number of things we can do.
- Report it to us, we can help;
- Talk to someone you trust. Sometimes we need a little outside perspective in order to get on the right path. They may be able offer you some guidance or help with your situation;
- Delete all contact. Changing all your passwords to strong alphanumeric codes;
- Keep all evidence like pictures, screenshots of conversations. Anything that you can use against them.
- Remove it off social media.
We are here to support you through this difficult time. There is no shame. Contact Us ASAP. We’ve helped thousands. We know how to deal with blackmail.