I've been extorted and theres nothing I can do about it!

After earning my first decent pay check after being a student until summer, I was extorted by two of the biggest loonatics on this planet. I had to shell out £200 just to get them to piss of and leave me alone, luckily no following demands were made and its been left. Ordinarily I would never bend over like this for anyone and would rather take a beating where I could at least have a chance planting a few blows on them but these guys are not your typical criminal. I have no doubt I would have gone missing had I gone to the authorities been contacted even though its a small amount of money they just are the kind of people to look for an excuse to inflict extreme violence.

Yea so anyway Im pretty mad at the moment, at least if we had legal gun ownership I could defend myself and not worry so much about it, Im far from a weakling and box a few times a week religiously, but these people are not only better fighters than me, but much bigger and much more psycotic, I only know them because they used to be my neighbours and I even had my front door set on fire by someone mistaking my flat for theres which caused me to move so its not like its my fault for knowing them. This happened because someone I vaguely know ran up a debt with them (Im guessing for something illegal) and since I vaguely know them I was told I need to pay the debt. Its not even a friend its someone who used to hang around with some mates I had and just by knowing him aparently means I need to cough it up. He has totally disapeared and if he ever shows his face again I'm guna be getting my money back for sure but I think he's moved far up north with family.

I didn't want to post this because I know people will bash me for becoming a victim and coughing it up, but I thought £200 wasn't worth the risk of violence to me and my family (I live at a family members flat and don't want them sucked into this) Most mates I've told have found it mad that I Paid up and offered to helping me out but I don't want anyone hurt over a couple hundred quick, even tho it sickens me I took this route out hoping this will be the end of it. Oddly the guys seem kool and friendly even with me now, but Im still proper mad at this.

Did have some luck though and cam accross £100 the other day for what was literally a few minutes work so Im not hurting in the pocket too much. Still I wanted to share my anger, this sort of thing probably happens a fair bit and I wont usually stand for this but these are the kind of people who will risk life in prison of something silly like this and they are such big powerful lumps I wouldnt stand a chance unless I was properly armed and I'd rather they just left it. Anyone a bad day for justice, but I feel relieved after the threats I was getting.

reply to post by clintdelicious


That just plain sucks man! You have alot more control than me I guess, but then again, I carry a gun.

I thought the ending was gonna be the govt or some healthcare tax... but this is the real extortion of sorts. I dont think a gun would help cuz it sounds like its just you so afer you kill 5 or 6 of them the 7th or 8th will get you or some unintended and thats not cool...

reply to post by billy197300


Believe me if I could own a gun I would feel 100% different knowing that I could defend myself, I went through some pretty extreme scenarios in my head, but I made a decision at the start of this year to only make positive decisions and avoid negativity, even against people who deserve it.0 Here in the UK risking 5 years in prison isnt worth owning a gun, especially if I can't let people know that I have it on me and the legal options arnt exactly viable to take out a few huge geezers whilst being compact. One of them acrtually has pretty horrific scars from where a group of people stabbed and slashed him trying to kill him and he apprently fought them off so I don't fancy my chances against a few of them!

reply to post by BlastedCaddy


There arn't that many of them, I think if I was armed they wouldn't risk dying over £200. The point is Im not able to defend myself against them and they know it. I'd have no problem telling them to come and get me and shooting them all as they break my door down if that option was available to me. I even tried to strike an agreement to pay less and it almost got cut up and that was pretty scary to say the least

reply to post by billy197300


I know how cornered you must have felt. I was awakened by six goons late one night because of a similar situation. I currently live in another locality and only a select number of people know my phone number and also know enough to tell people that they don't know where I am. And you know what? The low profile has reduced my stress level a lot.

So I take issue with your thread title. Think of options. Invent some, like even considering changing your identity and locality. Because once they've been around, I know you realize they can always return.

All the best.

Originally posted by clintdelicious
reply to post by billy197300

 

Believe me if I could own a gun I would feel 100% different knowing that I could defend myself, I went through some pretty extreme scenarios in my head, but I made a decision at the start of this year to only make positive decisions and avoid negativity, even against people who deserve it.0 Here in the UK risking 5 years in prison isnt worth owning a gun, especially if I can't let people know that I have it on me and the legal options arnt exactly viable to take out a few huge geezers whilst being compact. One of them acrtually has pretty horrific scars from where a group of people stabbed and slashed him trying to kill him and he apprently fought them off so I don't fancy my chances against a few of them!

You are right though, it's not worth going to jail over or getting your family involved. That's not that much money. Maybe you should choose your friends alittle more carefully from here on out. Just a thought.

Btw if anyone has any real advice what to do if this happens again I would love to hear it, I literally couldn't think of anything viable though and to be honest felt like a total mug for not being able to sort it out

You did the right thing to preserve yourself! I had this happen several years ago in almost the exact situation. Since I was outnumbered at the time and in a shady neighborhood, out of self preservation I ponied up the money. However, I came back later with my .45 and retrieved my money. The downside to this is now the thugs know you're fair game and this may not be your last visit from them. Buy a gun off the street. Guns laws don't apply to criminals, they want you disarmed just like the government. Oh wait...criminals, governement... same thing.

reply to post by billy197300


Thats the problem it isn't even a friend! Its a friend of a friend I have just met a fair few times and I always disliked him, aparently though I was a good target as I have money and live away from all my friends so am pretty isolated from any help.

Originally posted by SumerianSoldier
You did the right thing to preserve yourself! I had this happen several years ago in almost the exact situation. Since I was outnumbered at the time and in a shady neighborhood, out of self preservation I ponied up the money. However, I came back later with my .45 and retrieved my money. The downside to this is now the thugs know you're fair game and this may not be your last visit from them. Buy a gun off the street. Guns laws don't apply to criminals, they want you disarmed just like the government. Oh wait...criminals, governement... same thing.

This is completely off topic but, sunneriansoldier.....did you pierce your entire chin?lol awsome!

reply to post by aboutface


That has got to awful, I'm too well known in the town they are from to do that, I'm always there as well so it would be dangerous to just hope I could avoid them. It is a big concern that they will do this again, but I wont put up with it another time, I wont run away from them (they took my passport anyway which was pretty odd over £200) I considered the payment a one of just hoping that will be it. The funny thing is when I dropped them the money (Ihad to travel all the way to them naturally) they were engaged in a particularly illegal activity and it even worries me that ifthey get busted they might assume I grassed them up.

The main intimidation for me was having my family affected as they were going to remove my brothers massive tv at first (well over £200) and thats the one time where I did manage to stand up to them a bit. Its just really gutting because I like to think I can take care of myself and I was totally helpless, I'd compare it to being beaten up in front of your gf, thats how I feel. At the time I even stopped going to the gym totally which was odd, since I'm there everyday like Im expecting to have to fight for my life. I just think this whole thing is disgusting and I wish there was something I could have done, I wouldn't wana grass them and be either murdered or crippled/disfigured when they are out a year later for good behavour though.

Dont tick drugs then

A guy round my way owed £10k....he went missing...was found in a lake...well parts of him.

reply to post by SumerianSoldier


Much respect to you for liberating your cash, If I had a gun I would do the same. The problem is if you buy a gun of the street here and use it you goto jail still so its not worth it. I have considered getting my revenge other ways that wouldn't risk me being discovered, but its probably best to leave it.

When I had him with one of those shortened japanese swords to my face I was pretty convinced that it would be better to pay as well. I would fight anyone no matter how big, but when you enter that realm its just not worth it, I could have involved some friends as well, but I didn't want them ending up in danger too.

reply to post by clintdelicious


OK, an obvious question here. Have you consulted the police? Because by the sounds of it, they might have a long rap sheet.

Another question concerns the safety of your family. How about investing some cash in a couple of hidden security cameras? Sometimes we can't solve our problems all alone.

reply to post by aboutface


I've spoken with a CID detective who dealt with the fire at my flat before, but they cant promise my safety despite them being very keen to get me to give them names with promises of long sentences, anything short of life isnt going to make me feel ok though.

Problem is cameras don't help me when there is violence going down and if they are smart they wont come to my large apartment building as it has a lot of security already and a lot of people around.

Originally posted by clintdelicious
Btw if anyone has any real advice what to do if this happens again I would love to hear it, I literally couldn't think of anything viable though and to be honest felt like a total mug for not being able to sort it out

The best thing you can do is just lay low for a while and hope the whole thing blows over.

Guys like that have lots of enemies and lots of things going on all the time, so hopefully with time they will forget about you and move on to someone else.

If you are seriously worried about them attacking you, look into getting a firearm - but only to be used as an absolute last resort of course!!

If you haven't already, move to a different neighborhood, make sure you only give your new address to your closest friends and family, and instruct them to never tell anyone else where you live.

If you use public transit, switch to using a vehicle instead, as they may have ways of monitoring the transit system.

When you're out in public, wear plain, non-descript clothing that a million other guys might wear, as well as shades and a hat. If you have any tattoos or piercings or other unique markings on your body that might help to ID you, get rid of them.

They probably won't kill you, since murders end up getting the police involved. Usually they will just terrorize and intimidate you until they are satisfied that you are scared enough of them that you won't mess with them.

Good luck

reply to post by clintdelicious


The police are useless.
I was subject to a home invasion, 5 dudes with knives jumped me and stabbed the # out of me when i opened my door.

Police have done nothing to catch them.....ive now moved from the place i lived for 5 years...into the countryside.
Ive told them all i know...which is bugger all. Some names were given to me by people in the area, i gave them to the police...the police didnt follow it up.

These scum are walking the streets...for now The police have let me down big time, so other methods will be needed to serve justice on them. They are only teenagers...think they are big men because they hang around in groups of knife wielding thugs...they are in for a very big shock

CID say all sorts of crap, the CID who are/were dealing with my case were all plebs. They wont protect you, they say they will but they really dont give a #.

Your best letting it die down for a bit....then seeking revenge or recompense.

You can apply for criminal compensation....that should cover your loss As long as you have a police reference number and have no criminal convictions Im in line for between £30,000-£50,000

reply to post by loves a conspiricy


That's nasty mate, I'm glad you are still here to tell the story. The problem with the police is that they want you to give their names over and really don't care what happens to you. If they worked with you they could fix it so that they are arrested for something else using information that the victim could provide so that they go down and that you would be safe.

It's been good being able to talk about it and hear all your kind advice. Definitely helped me a lot as I haven't told many people at all about this.

I favor a baseball bat. Those are legal anywhere (I think.) and oddly enough a whole lot more intimidateing when it comes to self defense. On the plus side things like baseball bats and swords never run out of ammo.

On the other hand one-shot-one-kill, if you get properly trained with a deadly weapon it will kill almost every time. I can't always depend on a baseball bat to kill in one swing... (But I don't want to kill anybody if I can help it so that's really a plus side for me.)

Robert Heinlein (author) said "An armed society is a polite society."

I said "An un-armed society would not only look pretty funny but they would be filled with handicapped spots and automatic doors..."