Extortion occurs when the perpetrator coerces or threatens the victim with the aim of obtaining money or property. The core of extortion lies in making various types of threats, including:
– Physical harm or acts of violence
– Arrest or imprisonment
– Facing criminal charges
– Causing damage to property
Another form of extortion involves offering “protection” from harm or theft in exchange for financial compensation. Notably, the victim’s loved ones and acquaintances may also be subjected to threats.
The most prevalent variant of extortion is blackmail, where the perpetrator menaces the victim by disclosing embarrassing or scandalous information to family and the public if payment is not made to maintain the confidentiality of such information.
Sextortion
Sextortion is a form of extortion that constitutes a serious criminal offense. It occurs when an individual threatens to publicize private and sensitive material (such as images, videos, screenshots, etc.) of the victim unless they provide sexually explicit images, sexual favors, or monetary compensation. Furthermore, the perpetrator may use the obtained information to threaten harm to the victim’s friends and family unless their demands are met.
Extortion Fraud Schemes
Sextortion Fraud 1
Scammers fabricate fictitious profiles on social media platforms and dating websites. These profiles are used to entice victims into forming relationships and subsequently coerce them into engaging in sexual acts on camera, with the intention of recording the interactions.
Initially, victims engage in seemingly harmless conversations through social media or dating platforms.
Over time, the perpetrator manipulates the victim into sharing explicit images, undressing on camera, or performing sexual acts while being recorded.
The victim is then informed that the images will be disseminated (either online or to family members) unless they send money to the perpetrator. In certain instances, victims are coerced into hiding to avoid the sharing of images, further threatening their families and demanding ransom.
Sextortion Fraud 2
In this scenario, scammers contact victims via email, claiming to have hacked their computers and recorded explicit actions (e.g., masturbation). To add credibility to their claim, they may mention personal information about the victim, such as social insurance numbers or passwords previously utilized by the victim (obtained through data breaches rather than actual hacking).
The scammers assert that unless a fee is paid in Bitcoin, the explicit video will be made public.
Immigration Extortion
In this scheme, scammers call individuals, posing as representatives from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (previously known as Citizenship and Immigration Canada).
They inform the victim that they have failed to complete or register certain immigration documents.
To avoid consequences such as deportation, loss of passport, or loss of citizenship, the scammers demand immediate payment of fees.
On this page are references to combat all three types of extortion: centro anti estorsione