Extortion in the 20th Century

What is extortion?

Extortion involves obtaining something, usually money, through force, threats or blackmail.

How has extortion changed?

Methods of extortion have changed in 3 key ways in the modern period:

• ❖ In the past, it may have been carried out by using letters, the telephone or in person.
• ❖ Nowadays, the internet enables criminals to make threats on a wider scale.
• ❖ Some criminals extort money by threatening to hack businesses' computer systems unless they pay up.