BLACKMAIL AND EXTORTION
There was a 3.5% increase in the number of blackmail/extortion victims (both person and non-person victims) in Australia, from 509 in 2013 to a five year high of 527 in 2014. During 2014, 40% of all blackmail/extortion investigations (211 victims) were finalised by police within 30 days.
Of total blackmail/extortion victims in 2014, 93% (492 victims) were persons, and of these:
- Nearly three-quarters of victims (73% or 361) were male; and
- Persons aged 25 to 34 years accounted for the largest proportion of blackmail/extortion victims (24% or 119 victims).