The Extortionist EFT Quest Guide: How to Complete It Fast

Escape from Tarkov is a punishing yet rewarding game that challenges players through intense combat, survival mechanics, and deep questlines. One of the early quests offered by Skier is The Extortionist, which takes place on the Customs map. This task is crucial for unlocking further progression with Skier and rewards you with useful gear and trader access.

In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to complete The Extortionist fast, from finding the key and retrieving the hidden cargo to extracting safely. This is one of the most common early-game hurdles for players still learning the Customs layout.

How to Start The Extortionist Quest in Escape from Tarkov

The Extortionist becomes available once you reach level 7 and complete the “Supplier” quest from Skier. Once accepted, your objective is to retrieve a secure folder hidden inside a locked cabin somewhere on the Customs map.

Quest Objectives:

• (Optional) Locate the messenger’s body
• (Optional) Find where the messenger hid the cargo
• Obtain the valuable cargo
• Hand it over to Skier

Although it's technically a one-step task, finding the right locations and surviving until extraction are what make this quest tricky for newer players.

Where to Find the Key for The Extortionist in Tarkov

To complete The Extortionist, you need a specific item: the Unknown Key. This is a mandatory item used to unlock the cabin that contains the cargo.

Here’s where you can find it:

• Go to the Customs map, near the RUAF Roadblock area.
• Look for a blue and white truck by a wall, surrounded by garages.
• Search the dead scav body lying in the nearby bushes.
• Loot the Unknown Key from the body’s pocket.

This key has a guaranteed spawn rate in every raid, so you won’t need to rely on RNG. However, the area is frequently visited, so prepare for player encounters or scavs guarding the location.

Completing The Extortionist and Extracting Safely

Once you have the Unknown Key, make your way to the locked cabin to retrieve the cargo.

Cabin Location:

• The locked cabin is located near Warehouse 4, in the crane yard between the gas station and the river crossing area on Customs.
• The cabin is a small wooden shack hidden among debris and metal containers.

Use the Unknown Key to open the door. Inside, you'll find a jacket (lootable) and a secure folder labeled 0048. This is the item Skier wants. You must pick it up and successfully extract for the quest to progress.

Important Notes:

• The secure folder only spawns if the quest is active.
• If you die before extracting, the folder is lost, and you’ll need to retrieve it again.
• The key is single-use, so if you die after using it, you’ll need to find another.

Recommended Extraction Points:

• ZB-1011 and ZB-1012 (east side extractions)
• Crossroads or RUAF Roadblock (west side)

Rewards for Completing The Extortionist Quest

Successfully completing The Extortionist grants you decent early-game rewards and unlocks additional gear in Skier’s inventory.

Rewards:

• +3,200 EXP
• Skier Rep +0.04
• $500 Dollars (increased with Intelligence Center)
• 1× Molot Arms VPO-209 .366 TKM carbine
• 3× AK 7.62x39 30-round magazines
• 6× .366 TKM EKO ammo packs (20 pcs each)
• 1× BNTI Zhuk body armor (Press)
• Unlocks the Remington Model 870 shotgun from Skier LL1

Why The Extortionist Is Worth Completing

The Extortionist is one of the first real tests in Escape from Tarkov. It teaches essential survival skills: route planning, key location memorization, and strategic extraction. Completing this quest gets you valuable gear and builds your relationship with Skier, unlocking more complex and profitable quests in the future.

Whether you're a new player trying to find your way or a seasoned veteran speeding through early progression, knowing how to complete The Extortionist quickly will save you time, gear, and stress.