---
kind: "section"
citation: "18 U.S.C. § 873"
title: "18"
title_heading: "Crimes and Criminal Procedure"
number: "873"
heading: "Blackmail"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/18/873"
units:
  - "Part I — Crimes"
  - "Chapter 41 — Extortion and Threats"
---

# §873. Blackmail


[Whoever](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-1), under a threat of informing, or as a consideration for not informing, against any violation of any law of the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9), demands or receives any money or other valuable thing, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.


## Source credit

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 740; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(I), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147.)

## Notes

### Historical and Revision Notes

Based upon title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 250 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 145, 35 Stat. 1114).

Only minor changes were made in phraseology.

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $2,000”.