Many times you may have wondered about the difference between blackmail, bribery, and extortion. Here’s the distinction:
1. Bribery
Offering money or something of value to a person to gain a favor or benefit, especially if it is unfair or illegal, or to prevent someone from following a specific rule or law.
Example of Bribery:
María offers Juan $10 to prevent him from telling anyone that María damaged the car.
2. Blackmail
Pressuring a person to gain financial or other benefits through threats, in exchange for not releasing certain information that could harm the person, especially in front of society.
Example of Blackmail:
Pedro demands $100 from Carmen in exchange for not publishing photos of Carmen without clothes.
3. Extortion
Similar to blackmail, but in this case, force and intimidation with violence are used to demand money or some benefit.
Example of Extortion:
Enrique demands $2,000 from Raúl and threatens to harm him or a family member or friend if the money isn’t paid.
