Full question:
A person from Nigeria is threatening to post pictures to the internet if I do not send him $900 or arrange for a visa for him to enter the country.
- Category: Criminal
- Subcategory: Extortion
- Date:
- State: Washington
Answer:
Blackmail involves threatening to reveal damaging information unless money is paid or something of value is given. It is a form of extortion. In this case, the threat to post pictures is a means of compelling you to act against your will. The law defines extortion as obtaining property through threats that instill fear, such as exposing secrets or publicizing facts that could harm someone’s reputation.
To address this situation, you should file a criminal complaint with your local police department or prosecutor's office. They can investigate the matter and take appropriate action.
Regarding the ownership of the pictures, copyright infringement occurs when someone violates the exclusive rights of the copyright owner, typically the photographer. Additionally, invasion of privacy can arise if the pictures were taken in a context where you had a reasonable expectation of privacy. You would need to demonstrate that there was an agreement with the photographer to keep the images private.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.