extortionists
Criminals demanding payment
Extortionists are people who practice extortion—obtaining money, property, or cooperation through threats, intimidation, or abuse of power.
The term covers criminals who demand payment for "protection," officials who solicit bribes under threat, and anyone who leverages damaging information for gain: The extortionists threatened to release the photos unless she paid.
Organized crime participants
- blackmailersThose demanding hush money
- gangstersOrganized crime members
- mobstersOrganized crime members
- shakedownForceful extraction of payment
thugs · criminals · perpetrators · enforcers · henchmen · syndicates · cartels · organized crime
Dishonest people in power
- briberyCorrupt payment for influence
- kickbacksIllegal return payments
- embezzlementFraudulent taking of entrusted assets
- exploitationSelfish use of others
predatory lending · price gouging · collusion · abuse of power · monopolists · profiteers · slumlords · fraud
Unauthorized computer system intruders
- ransomwareHostage-taking code
- cybercriminalsOnline law breakers
- phishingFraudulent credential harvesting
- data breachUnauthorized access to protected information
encryption · cryptocurrency · dark web · malware · cyberattack · DDoS · anonymous · decryption key
racketeers
Organized crime participants
- blackmailersThose demanding hush money
- gangstersOrganized crime members
- mobstersOrganized crime members
shakedown · thugs · criminals · perpetrators · enforcers · henchmen · syndicates · cartels · organized crime · protection racket
corrupt officials
Dishonest people in power
- briberyCorrupt payment for influence
- kickbacksIllegal return payments
- embezzlementFraudulent taking of entrusted assets
exploitation · predatory lending · price gouging · collusion · abuse of power · monopolists · profiteers · slumlords · fraud · corporate greed
hackers
Unauthorized computer system intruders
- ransomwareHostage-taking code
- cybercriminalsOnline law breakers
- phishingFraudulent credential harvesting
data breach · encryption · cryptocurrency · dark web · malware · cyberattack · DDoS · anonymous · decryption key · ransom demand
- cybercriminalshacker, hackers, scammer, scammers, phishers
- predatorspredators, hunters, lions, falcon, fox
- tough guystough guys, tough guy, thug, thugs, enforcer
- criminal groupsgang, mafia, cartel, mob, syndicate
- oppressorstyrants, despots, dictators, autocrats, authoritarians
- thugsthugs, goons, heavies, toughs, brutes
extortionistsbenefactors
Givers of aid
philanthropists · donors · givers · patrons · altruists
extortionistsprotectors
Those who guard others
defenders · advocates · guardians · rescuers · liberators