Demands for Money Under Threat of Reporting Academic Misconduct

[AlmostGone]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: New York

I posted an ad on craigslist stating I needed assistance with math homework. I had two PDF files containing my math homework. Mind you, I did the homework myself. However, my class required I use Maple, a math, graphing software that I was having technical difficulties with. So I requested assistance in changing my work into a Maple file format. I offered a fair payment for the time and effort of the assistance.

In the beginning, I emailed this person the files and they said they would charge me $400. (All communications were online) I told them that was unnecessary. Because my computer could not run Maple Software, all this person needed to do was convert my file into a maple file using the maple software on their computer. (He stated that he had it) Thus, I would pay $50. This person then lowered his price to $200. (Haggling at it's finest, I guess.) After looking over my work and seeing where I was having issues with graphing calculations, this person then charged me $100. At that point, I felt it was fair because of the hours we'd spent working on it. So I paid this person exactly $100 via PayPal.

After I paid him, he sent me a message stating that he had to purchase a new maple license, costing him $285.00, and if I wanted to balance that out, I should send another $100. That should have been a red flag for me, and it was. But I'd already paid him and he still needed to send my file back. So I told him that if that were the case, he should have stated that prior to offering to help me. My ad stated maple software was required for my assistance. I refused to pay him any other amount than what we agreed. He stated that if he were going to assist me with the second file, he would look at it and see if it were worth his time. At that point, I'd already decided I would not request his help again. So I stated that was fine.

After finally finishing with my first file, he looked at the second one and said he'd charge $230. I told him that I would not be able to make that payment, but thanked him for his services thus far.

Two days later, he sends me an email stating, "Hi
You have exactly 7 hrs to send me $300 via PayPal (nereawreiters@hotmail.com) failure to which I will launch a plagiarism claim again you with your university and instructor. Thank you"

I have never been extorted before, nor blackmailed. So I have no idea how to handle this situation. The only information I can think of that this person has obtained is when I allowed them to access an e-textbook I purchased for my class. It is on a website that has my name and my instructor's school email. That is it. In which case, I have already changed my password before receiving such an email. In an earlier email, he left his phone number, which has a California area code. I missed it before, but I wonder if that means anything significant.

I do not know if I should take this seriously or ignore it. But I would hate to ignore it and something happens just to cause trouble.

[Mr. Knowitall]

If you want to report the person's actions to the police, go to the police station and make a report.

If your actions constitute a violation of your university's policies, then you could be subject to disciplinary action if your actions become known to the university. There is no step that you can take that will guarantee that your university will not learn about your actions.

If it's not a violation of your university's policies, his reporting you won't affect you.

I suggest you learn how to use the software you are required to use for your class and, if it won't run on your computer, consider upgrading your computer or working in the university's computer lab.

[AlmostGone]

This is the last week of class, so there really isn't any time to do anything in regards to learning the software. I couldn't use a new laptop, I couldn't use the college's computers, and I didn't know anyone with a computer I could borrow.

I could report this to the police. But I would also like to know, should this person go through with their threats, is there anything of a disadvantage on their side?

[adjusterjack]

I could report this to the police. But I would also like to know, should this person go through with their threats, is there anything of a disadvantage on their side?

You might have grounds for a defamation lawsuit.

But if you aren't willing to file a police report you probably aren't going to be willing to file a lawsuit either.

[AlmostGone]

I would be willing to file a police report. I am being threatened. I have filed reports in the past. However, where I am conflicted is if it IS worth pursuing the to full extent of the law.

If it is just a threat, fine. I am threatened almost every day and the police have told me that unless they physically do something, there is nothing they can do. My sister was murdered due to threats she reported that weren't taken seriously. (Not using that to weigh in or anything, but I am frustrated with being threatened. I do apologize for any sense of a hard tone)

At this point, I am in the last week of my last semester of college. I have had no trouble up to this point, except course issues due the the death of a member in my family.
Because this is my last semester, my school will not be very lenient in any way. And that goes for all students, issues or no issues.

A lawsuit of any kind would be damaging right now. It was my work. Mine. All I asked was for assistance with a software I couldn't use myself. And I am being threatened with plagiarism. Even if I win the case, the fact that it started is enough to halt my graduating. That's what I am concerned about.