> As with most criminal activity, the damage created by it is much larger than the money made. That's what makes extortion work. If the cost to avoid damage i

> As with most criminal activity, the damage created by it is much larger than the money made. That's what makes extortion work. If the cost to avoid damage is on par with the potential damage, few if any victims would actually pay the criminal. The extorted amount being a fraction of the potential damage makes victims more willing to pay.