[advisedwang]

Yes, it is wire fraud, a class C felony in the US. You put that there with the intent of extracting $500 from somebody else that they didn't agree to. The mechanism makes no difference.

It probably also violates local laws (including simple theft in my jurisdiction).

[direwolf20]

You will argue it was consensual. Your HN posting history must be erased before it befones relevant.

You said please give $500 and they gave $500. No crime here, officer.

[advisedwang]

If you go up to someone on the street and say "give me your wallet" and they give you their wallet, you committed a robbery, even if you made no explicit threat and had no weapon.