Many people enjoy watching crime drama television, and after a while, they become accustomed to hearing words like “bribe” and “extort.” While the audience may understand the general meaning of these words, they may not understand the real-world applications of these phrases. Today, Nick Lotito & Seth Kirschenbaum will explain how cyber-extortion works.
What Is Cyber-Extortion?
Cyber-extortion is when someone uses an email address or other online messaging apps to reach and scare people into sending money to the user. There are two kinds of cyber-extortion, baseless threats and real threats.
Baseless Extortion
Some users will send messages to others and try to blackmail them for money, but these users are only using scare tactics to frighten people into sending money. They may claim that they have compromising pictures of the recipient, or that they will release private financial information of the target unless he or she complies to a threat.
Baseless extortion is a serious crime and will result in extortion charges for the accused. In Georgia, extortion charges will result in not less than one year nor more than ten years imprisonment, among other penalties.
Real Extortion
Some users will send messages to others and try to blackmail them for money, and these users have somehow gained access to private information or pictures. In these scenarios, the user has a lot of control and can release sensitive information to public forums if he or she wishes to do so.
Based extortion is a severe crime and will result in extortion charges for the accused. Additionally, the accused may receive other criminal charges for hacking into someone’s computer or for stealing photos.
Have You Been Accused of Cyber-Extortion?
If you have been accused of cyber-extortion, Nick Lotito and Seth Kirschenbaum can help. Our firm understands how extortion charges can impact the rest of your life, and we will work hard to defend your case.
Have you been accused of extortion? Call (404) 471-3177 now for a free consultation for your case.