# 12. Secrecy ## 12.5. Methodology/Refinements/Sub-species ### 12.5.3. Secret Cooption (aka Secret Cooptation) Apart from the simple withholding of information, there is an interesting hybrid of the use of secrecy which is available to a manipulator. It is referred to as Secret Cooption. In this method a secret is used as a means of co-opting an individual into bearing part of the responsibility for keeping a secret. Most people will acquiesce in maintaining a secret if the consequences of failing to do so are made clear to them, because they are gratified to be entrusted with it in the first place. This strategy actually involves the manipulator showing his hand whilst revealing a threat. It can be most useful in forming a captive relationship with an individual or group from an opposing faction. It compromises the victim and the longer it goes on the more compromised the victim becomes. The manipulator is, in effect, trading access to his secrets in return for the co-operation of the victim. Of course, the manipulator sets the limits on how much of a secret is revealed or how many secrets are shared with the victim. Criminal gangs and insurgent organisations use this technique to lock in their members. They do this by revealing some part of their secret operations to members. Any attempt by a member to leave is then blocked because the member "knows too much".