How can I report someone trying to blackmail / extort money from me?

[snackycactus]

Hi,
I've recently been receiving a bevy of random scam, blackmail and threat emails all demanding that I send bitcoins to a bitcoin address listed in the email. I haven't done anything, so I'm not worried about whatever they are threatening me with.

I don't really know much about bitcoin and how the transactions work. Are bitcoin addresses anonymous? Can I take their address to the police?

[worhiper_-_]

If I was you, I'd simply ignore them. It'd be tough for you, or any authority to track someone based on just a BTC address, so if you're not related to what they're messaging you about and have nothing to fear then simply blacklist their email addresses and move on. If you'd like to warn the community you could also post in this forum including information about the extortion attempt such as the email you received and email address it came from; you could do so in the scam accusation board.

Bitcoin addresses aren't tied to real names and transactions are irreversible, you'd probably have more luck trying to track that person down through the email you received but if he's taking some basic precautions that would still be hard even for authorities. Sorry if you were introduced to bitcoin this way!

[MaxTax]

Yes the addresses are anonymous.

Best thing you can do is take the emails and the email addresses and report it to the authorities.

[tommorisonwebdesign]

If somebody is threatening you, you have every right to contact the police. Feel free to share if you are comfortable the emails/threats this person is sending with the community. Extortion and blackmail is illegal and should not be tolerated. Just because it's the internet does not make it legal.

[snackycactus]

Thanks for the advice. I've posted the email I received to help warn other folks.

[bitlancr]

Thanks for the advice. I've posted the email I received to help warn other folks.

Good thing to warn other people.

Make sure to post as much information you can. F.e. if you have a name/email and post it on forums, people who google the name will read about this crime.