extortion
Threats for money
Extortion is obtaining money, property, or cooperation through threats or coercion.
The threat might be violence, exposure of damaging information, or abuse of official power.
Unlike robbery, which takes by force, extortion compels the victim to hand something over: The gang ran an extortion racket on local businesses.
Blackmail is extortion through threatened exposure.
Conducting illegal business schemes
- shakedownForceful extraction of payment
- protection racketExtortion through intimidation
- briberyCorrupt payment for influence
- corruptionDishonest abuse of power
organized crime · mobster · gangsterism · syndicate · underworld · mafia · felony · kickback
Payment to ensure secrecy
- secretsConcealed information
- scandalDisgraceful public affair
- leverageBorrowed capital for amplified returns
- incriminatingProving guilt or wrongdoing
silence · threats · exposure · compromise · confidentiality · disclosure · reputation · covert
Deliberate fear-inducing pressure
- threatsDeclarations of intended harm
- pressureForce upon contact
- duressCoercion through threats
- forceStrength or compulsion
compulsion · bullying · strong-arm · harassment · menace · dominance · fear · violence
Excessive pricing during crises
- profiteeringExploiting scarcity for gain
- monopolyOne seller, no substitutes
- exploitationSelfish use of others
- usuryExtortionate money lending
fleecing · predatory lending · overcharging · wage theft · corporate greed · market manipulation · captive market · necessities
Hostage-taking code
- hackingInfiltrating protected digital systems
- phishingFraudulent credential harvesting
- cryptocurrencyEncrypted decentralized money
- decryptionConverting ciphertext to plaintext
data breach · malware · DDoS · dark web · anonymous · encryption · cyber attack · file encryption
racketeering
Conducting illegal business schemes
- shakedownForceful extraction of payment
- protection racketExtortion through intimidation
- briberyCorrupt payment for influence
corruption · organized crime · mobster · gangsterism · syndicate · underworld · mafia · felony · kickback · payoff
hush money
Payment to ensure secrecy
- secretsConcealed information
- scandalDisgraceful public affair
- leverageBorrowed capital for amplified returns
incriminating · silence · threats · exposure · compromise · confidentiality · disclosure · reputation · covert · photographs
intimidation
Deliberate fear-inducing pressure
force · compulsion · bullying · strong-arm · harassment · menace · dominance · fear · violence · retaliation
price gouging
Excessive pricing during crises
- profiteeringExploiting scarcity for gain
- monopolyOne seller, no substitutes
- exploitationSelfish use of others
usury · fleecing · predatory lending · overcharging · wage theft · corporate greed · market manipulation · captive market · necessities
ransomware
Hostage-taking code
- hackingInfiltrating protected digital systems
- phishingFraudulent credential harvesting
- cryptocurrencyEncrypted decentralized money
decryption · data breach · malware · DDoS · dark web · anonymous · encryption · cyber attack · file encryption · payment portal
- dirty moneydirty money, ill-gotten gains, illicit funds, illicit gains, proceeds of crime
- crimerobbery, accomplice, alibi, burglary, conspiracy
- crimesarson, burglary, robbery, kidnapping, vandalism
- wrongdoingmisconduct, crime, sabotage, crimes, misbehavior
- corruptioncorruption, graft, kickbacks, bribery, bribes
- coercion crimeskidnapping, blackmail, human trafficking, false imprisonment, criminal threats
extortiongift
Item given freely
donation · philanthropy · generosity · coaxing · gratuity
extortionfair trade
Equitable exchange between parties
ethical business · honest work · earned income · fair compensation · fair dealing
extortionreparation
Compensation for injury done
restitution · compensation · repayment · indemnification · amends
- extortion ringCriminal conspiracy demanding payments
- cyber extortionOnline threats demanding payment
extortionate, extortionist, extorting, extortions, extortionary