Extortion is the threatening, coercive act of demanding payment, favorable government action from a public official, or another benefit from someone in return for not doing violent, physical harm or injury to the victim or his property, or revealing compromising or damaging information about the victim (whether it is true or false), or causing unfavorable government action against the victim or his interests. Extortion (sometimes referred to as the crime of coercion or blackmail) is a criminal offense in all states and under federal law.

Extortion can occur in person, by telephone, by U.S. mail, by e-mail, by text message, through social media, or by other means of communication.

The definition and penalties for the crime of extortion vary from state to state—in some states blackmail is part of the criminal offense of extortion, and in some states blackmail and extortion are separate criminal offenses.

The crime of extortion may be prosecuted as a felony in some states—with potential prison time—or as a misdemeanor eligible for probation. The crime of extortion is usually located in a state’s statutes. And extortion is also a crime under federal law. See 18 U.S.C. §872 to 18 U.S.C. §876.

In Missouri, extortion is considered a serious criminal offense and is defined under Missouri Revised Statutes Section 570.030 as 'stealing by coercion.' This statute encompasses the act of unlawfully obtaining property or services from a person by threatening or coercing them to deliver such property or perform such service against their will. The threats may include physical harm, damage to property, accusations of a crime, exposure of a secret or asserted fact, or any act intended to substantially harm the person, their property, or their rights. Depending on the circumstances and the value of the property or services extorted, the offense can be prosecuted as a misdemeanor or a felony, with penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment. The severity of the punishment is often contingent on the value of the property or services involved and the specific nature of the coercion used. Additionally, under federal law, extortion is criminalized by 18 U.S.C. §872, which prohibits the act of obtaining money or something of value by wrongful use of actual or threatened force, violence, or fear, or under color of official right. Federal penalties for extortion can include fines and imprisonment, and the crime is investigated by federal agencies such as the FBI.