Blackmail is an act of
coercion using the
threat of revealing or publicizing either
substantially true or false, and often damaging, information about a person, to the public, family members, or associates unless certain demands are met. It may involve using threats of physical, mental or emotional harm, or of criminal prosecution, against the victim or someone or close to the victim.
[1][2] It is normally carried out for personal gain, most commonly of position, money, or property.
[1][3][4][5]