Blackmail is a crime!
For a person to threaten blackmail, it is very likely they already have dirt on you–so take them seriously. Blackmailers know their onion so well and always aim for where it will hurt the most.
They will try to convince you that you can pay(and not necessarily with money) them into silence but we advise you not to do that. Blackmailers never stop. Never.
They milk you till you have nothing left and still go out with the story anyway. To avoid rolling in the mud with these pigs, here are five ways to handle blackmailers:
1. Don’t Explain
When they contact you and threaten to go to the press with your pandora’s box, they just may be serious. This is why you have to be braced for the clapback and avoid shalaye (explain).
Don’t explain anything to anyone, and don’t tell your side of the story to any blog/friend/acquaintance. DON’T dignify the accusations with any response and watch them shrink from lack of attention.
2. Speak Once, And Never Again
Sometimes, your line of work will not afford the luxury of that first method–don’t worry, here’s another one. Come out and speak on it only once.
Social media users stick to the narrative they get but when you come out and state in clear terms what you did, it becomes a strike against the blackmailer.
3. Keep Receipts
What goes for the goose should also go for the gander, meaning, you should also keep receipts the way they kept theirs. If you don’t, you are only shooting yourself in the knee when you are supposed to be building a case against them. Videos, call logs, times of meeting, pictures and all media should be well documented for the day in court.
In fact, it is advisable to get another person to help you document all of this information for future reference. Play smart and have them shitting nickels when you counter-attack with receipts.
4. Report Them To The Police
Blackmail is a criminal offense punishable under the law- so once you have substantial evidence on ground- pounce! We would like to add that you should not hint at the possibility of arresting them, let them play into your hands properly.
Then hire yourself a Barr. No Mercy who will help you somebody’s child, like tiger generator.
5. Be The Whistleblower
Na who first report dey win case. If you know what I mean. This is for when you don’t intend to sue but just clear the air. So, while the blackmailer is still in the works, sending you threats to expose you blah blah- you blow the whistle.
Come out and tell your story the way it is, try to be as honest as possible. Sure, tongues would wag but things won’t be as heated as they will be if told from the blackmailer’s angle. In the end, you will have the blackmailer sweating because you beat them at their game.
BONUS TIP: This one is for the road; desist from anything that can implicate you.
#Unsolicited is a segment for reviews and opinion pieces. This edition sheds lights on how to handle blackmail.
