Penalty for blackmail

In Victoria, blackmail is considered a serious offence and carries a maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment. The actual penalty may vary depending on the specific circumstances of the case.

What are the elements of blackmail?

Blackmail, also known as extortion, is a criminal offense in Victoria, Australia. The elements of blackmail include:

• The accused made a demand of the victim, either directly or indirectly, with menaces;
• The demand must have been made with the intent to gain a benefit, or cause a loss, to the accused or another person; and
• The demand must have been an unwarranted demand made with menaces, which means it was made in such a way that would cause the victim to fear for their safety or the safety of another person if they did not comply with the demand.

A demand made with menaces can take many forms, such as physical harm, property damage, or the threat of public exposure of embarrassing information.