# Blackmail Attempt Backfires in 2013 Incident

A 2013 blackmail scheme ended in failure, with the would-be blackmailer ultimately gaining nothing. The incident highlights the risks and futility of attempting to extort others, especially in public or online forums.

**Importance:** 2/5

## Sources

### Technology
- [Hacker News](https://gwern.net/blackmail) — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 18:11:09 +0000