Fear of Extortion Grips Indian Business Community in Canada
The increasing number of threats of extortion targeting South Asian businesses in Brampton, Ontario, and Surrey, British Columbia, has prompted the mayors of these cities, Patrick Brown and Brenda Locke, to issue a joint plea to the Justin Trudeau-led federal government. Expressing deep concern for their communities, the mayors are calling for a coordinated, multi-jurisdictional strategy to counter the surge in extortion threats emanating from Canadian gangsters over the past two months.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs acknowledged the severity of the situation on January 4, labeling it a “matter of serious concern.” In response to this escalating crisis, the mayors of Brampton and Surrey have written to the federal Minister of Public Safety, urging immediate actions to ensure the safety of South Asians residing in their cities. Their letter emphasizes the need for a coordinated response that recognizes the inter-jurisdictional nature of the threats.
The Police Chief of Peel, Nishan Duraiappah, has noted a disturbing increase in extortion threats, with cases rising from nine in December 2023 to 20 in January 2024. Six of these cases involved violence, including shootings at business properties, prompting an investigation into potential transnational links. In response to this surge, the Extortion Investigative Task Force was launched, currently investigating 16 cases. A hotline has also been established to report such incidents.
The perpetrators, suspected to be part of organized gangs, possess detailed information about the victims, including names, phone numbers, addresses, and other business-related details. Chief Duraiappah expressed concern about the contagious nature of threats, spreading fear throughout the community.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs had earlier voiced its concern on January 4, terming the situation a “matter of concern.” However, it was stated that there was insufficient information available on the issue at that time.
As of now, the police are actively engaged in multi-jurisdictional investigations across British Columbia, Ontario, and Alberta. The Abbotsford Police’s major crime unit is investigating the matter, linking the threats to a gang based in India, led by Lawrence Bishnoi. The suspects, primarily Hindi-speaking, use WhatsApp to issue threats of violence after demanding substantial sums of money.
While Surrey RCMP announced arrests on December 28 related to extortion attempts, those individuals were subsequently released pending charges. In Edmonton, where 18 incidents related to the alleged extortion scheme targeting the South Asian business community are under investigation, recent arrests have been made. Edmonton police revealed that non-compliance with extortion demands has led to arson and property damage, with at least seven arson cases in the last two months of 2023 linked to the investigation.
As the Indian community in Surrey grapples with this growing menace, a public forum has been initiated to facilitate dialogue, share concerns, and seek solutions. Community leaders and law enforcement agencies face a collective challenge in restoring a sense of security and combating the rising tide of violence and extortion.
