NCJ Number
84331
Date Published
1981
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This discussion of extortion and its investigation considers identifying extortion, targeting the extortioner, the extortion victim, and types of extortion rackets.
Abstract
Whether it is loan sharking or a protection operation, extortion is difficult to prove. The investigator must obtain extensive physical evidence and provide corroboration to substantiate complaints from victims. Efforts to maintain a close relationship with victims provide them with a protective emotional security, a highly important investigative aspect, since victims' emotional stability is vital to the favorable outcome of the inquiry and prosecution. In deciding investigative direction, determinations of covert activity or information to support complaints must provide the answers that will suppress the aggressive blackmailer. Methods for gathering physical evidence should include photo surveillance, electronic overhears, and personal contacts, which are the best for this type of investigation. In addition, investigative efforts should recover personal records of the extortioner which pertain to the victim. While these may be encoded and difficult to recover, such data will prove vital in identifying unknown victims; moreover, it can provide the investigator with a perspective of the income from the illicit business. Once determined, a cooperative effort can be initiated with Internal Revenue agents, who can explore a civil action against tax evasion. Federal codes should be explored if particular events do not meet the criteria of local statutes in obtaining a conviction. (Author summary modified)