Crimes Act 1961

237 Blackmail

• (1) Every one commits blackmail who threatens, expressly or by implication, to make any accusation against any person (whether living or dead), to disclose something about any person (whether living or dead), or to cause serious damage to property or endanger the safety of any person with intent—

  • (a) to cause the person to whom the threat is made to act in accordance with the will of the person making the threat; and

  • (b) to obtain any benefit or to cause loss to any other person.

  (2) Every one who acts in the manner described in subsection (1) is guilty of blackmail, even though that person believes that he or she is entitled to the benefit or to cause the loss, unless the making of the threat is, in the circumstances, a reasonable and proper means for effecting his or her purpose.

  (3) In this section and in section 239, benefit means any benefit, pecuniary advantage, privilege, property, service, or valuable consideration.

  Compare: 1961 No 43 s 238

  Section 237: substituted, on 1 October 2003, by section 15 of the Crimes Amendment Act 2003 (2003 No 39).