Which of the following is an example of an act of extortion?

An act of extortion involves obtaining something, usually money or property, through coercion or threats. The correct choice exemplifies this definition by highlighting a situation where an individual threatens to reveal embarrassing information unless the desired action (such as payment or compliance) is taken. This threat creates a sense of urgency and fear, which compels the victim to respond in a way that satisfies the extortionist's demands.

In contrast, stealing money with a weapon is classified as robbery, as it involves taking property unlawfully through force or intimidation. Filing a false police report is a separate offense related to legal integrity and can hinder justice, but it does not directly involve coercing another party for personal gain. Lastly, collecting debts under duress can also involve elements of extortion, but the emphasis in that scenario often centers on the methods used to collect rather than the act of making threats, which is specifically highlighted in the correct answer.