Be wary of extortionists
Should you become a victim of extortion, report the crime to authorities and get support by reaching out to law enforcement legal advisors or support organisations.
As per Saps, extortion is a criminal offence where an individual illegally obtains money, property or services from another person by threatening harm or using coercive measures.
These threats can involve physical violence, property damage, accusations of crime or exposure of sensitive information.
Common types of extortion include:
Blackmailing – threatening to reveal sensitive information unless demands are met;
Protection rackets – forcing individuals or businesses to pay for protection from harm, often caused by the extortionist.
Cyber extortion – using online threats, such as data theft or cyber attacks, to demand money or services.
Financial extortion – forcing someone to make financial payments or hand over property or livestock through the use of threats.
There are legal consequences, as extortion is a serious crime and is punishable by law.
Penalties may include large financial penalties based on the extent of the crime; it can lead to long-term imprisonment (especially if violence or
significant harm is involved) or the extortionist may be ordered to pay back the victim for damages or losses.
In order to protect yourself, police advise the public to stay alert for any suspicious or threatening demands, stay calm and not react impulsively to threats, keep records of all communications and demands, report any instances of extortion immediately to the authorities and protect sensitive information online with strong passwords and encryption.
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