Blackmailers

Villains who partake in the criminal act of blackmail, demanding money (or any other valuables for that matter) from someone in exchange for not revealing information about the victim. Due to the nature of blackmail, many of these villains are manipulative and cunning.

Blackmailers are different from Deal Makers and Extortionists for subtle reasons. Blackmail follows the "I scratch your back, you scratch mine... or else" scenario, and it can involve the exploitation of a person's feelings. Deal Makers are usually less underhanded than Blackmailers, as they generally are on the same page as the person with whom they make deals, whereas Extortionists tend to be worse because they utilize abuse and violence to get their way while offering a lesser amount to their victims (or in worse cases nothing at all).

Blackmailers are often Lawful Evil since they use the law to their advantage to oppress others. They may be Lawful Neutral if their blackmailing is a rare/minor thing that isn't so continuous.

By the very nature of blackmail, victims are also unable (or unwilling) to go to authorities or even potential allies for help as this would expose their misdeed. Thus, this puts blackmailers in an extremely high position of authority over their victims (who may often be a minor villain themselves). Although, the more anti-villainous types will blackmail a villain even worse than themselves, preparing to expose their crimes unless they do them a service.