blackmail

The making of an unwarranted demand with menaces. The demand must be made with a view either to ensure gain for the person demanding or someone else or to ensure loss to another person. The menaces may include a threat of violence or of some detrimental action, for example exposure of past immorality. The demand is unwarranted unless the accused believes that he or she has reasonable grounds for the demand, and that the menaces are appropriate to reinforce the demand. In England and Wales, blackmail is an offence under the Theft Act of 1968. In many US states, and also in Scotland, the crime of obtaining money or any other advantage by threats is termed extortion.

Blackmail is the act of threatening to reveal information about a person unless the threatened part fulfills certain demands.