The arrest of two individuals in connection with a series of extortion cases targeting South Asian business figures in different parts of Canada, had given the community some hope that the authorities have finally taken the menace of extortion seriously.
Unfortunately, the release of both the accused due to lack of concrete evidence, has frustrated the community and question the authorities that if the police did not have enough evidence to charge them, why did they organize press conference and announce of the arrests? Is this just a hog wash? A farce? Does the government just want to show they are doing something without actually doing it? The community is questioning if they really did arrest anyone as no names were released at the press conference? The police did not even answer questions as to the nationalities of the so-called arrested accused.
The community had hoped that the arrests would finally mark a significant development in ongoing investigation into a troubling wave of extortion related crimes that have shaken the South Asian communities in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario.
The police and politicians have long suggested that the incidents have ties to organized crime networks in India, especially the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. In an interview with Peel Region Mayor Patrick Brown, while talking to SAIN last year, when the incidents of extortion and threats had first started, had urged for coordinated efforts between India and Canada to address growing threats.
“The police agencies in the Lower Mainland, in Edmonton and in the Peel region of Ontario have found evidence in their investigations of the link to criminal gangs in India. At this point they have not released names and I cannot reveal how the threats were delivered.
But mostly these threats are being delivered over Whatsapp groups.” According to reports, other social media apps have been used to threaten victims. Investigators have traced the phone numbers to Italy and New Zealand.
The cases of threats, intimidation and extortion have been going on for more than two years now. The threats have ranged from firing shots at businesses and residences of people who fail to pay up to arson and vandalising stores and vehicles. In Surrey, British Columbia, a city known for its vibrant multicultural fabric, a disturbing trend has emerged, casting a shadow over the community.
Over the past two years, reports of extortion targeting South Asian individuals and businesses have surged, prompting widespread fear, community action, and a robust response from law enforcement.
Since the threats first started in early 2023, these have only become more brazen and violent. The Surrey Police Service has documented numerous complaints of individuals and business receiving threatening letters, phone calls, or social media messages demanding large sums of money.
In just the first six months of 2025, the SPS reported at least 10 cases, though authorities suspect the actual number could be higher as many victims fail to report due to fear of reprisal or pay up discreetly.
Victims are aware that the intimidations are not empty and the criminals are going to extremes to carry out their threats. President of Lakshmi Narayan Mandir Temple in Surrey, has reported to have received voicemails demands for $2 million dollars, as per media reports.
His banquet hall was a target on June 7 and 10, 2025 and another property was targeted 3 days later. The writer of this report was at the banquet hall, attending a ceremony, and shooting took place just an hour or two after the ceremony ended. His son’s home was targeted last year too and the bullet holes and shattered glass left on his property is a start reminder of the real danger faced by victims.
The scale of the problem extends beyond Surrey. Similar extortion schemes have been reported in Alberta, Ontario, Montreal and many parts of British Columbia, with police identifying at least 74 incidents across five jurisdictions as of March 2024. In Edmonton, for instance, 27 extortion-related events since October 2023 included arsons and shootings, causing an estimated $9 million in property damage. The common thread is the targeting of affluent South Asian business owners, particularly those in industries like construction, trucking, and hospitality.
The mechanics of extortion have gone high tech and difficult to trace by investigative agencies. Demands are made over encrypted platforms like WhatsApp, often in Punjabi or Hindi, accompanied by graphic threats against their families or businesses. Kumar also reported to have been sent videos or images depicting violence to underscore the seriousness of the threats.
The perpetrators often claim affiliations with organized crime groups, including those purportedly based in India, such as the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. While some demands originate from international numbers, police believe local actors are involved in executing the violence. The transnational nature of these crimes complicates investigations, as evidenced by the RCMP’s formation of a national task force in February 2024 to coordinate efforts across jurisdictions.
Owner of a trucking company in Abbotsford, has reported of living in constant fear and has resorted to traveling in armored vehicles or wearing bulletproof vests. The crisis has also strained community cohesion. Public forums, such as the one hosted by Kumar on June 15, 2025, at Reflections Banquet Hall, in Surrey, BC, have drawn hundreds of residents, business owners, and politicians, reflecting a collective desire to address the issue.
However, some community members feel that public discussions risk amplifying fear or stigmatizing the South Asian community, while others argue that silence enables the perpetrators.
According to the RCMP, the two suspects, both residents of Surrey, were arrested on July 3, 2025, on allegations of arson and careless discharge of a firearm related to extortion incidents that occurred in the city between late 2023 and 2024. Chief Superintendent Duncan Pound, the Lower Mainland’s district commander, emphasized the collaborative efforts of multiple police agencies in pursuing these cases.
The suspects’ identities had not been disclosed, and no formal charges have been laid till the time of writing this report and the accused have been released. Pound had noted in the press conference noted that the individuals remain in custody while police work with the BC Prosecution Service to secure charge approval. However, as per reports, the file is yet to be forwarded for charge approval. Pound had indicated that the suspects could be released without charges if sufficient evidence is not established, underscoring the cautious approach to building a prosecutable case.
The police could keep the two in custody only for 24 hours before being produced before a judge. And if charges are not laid till then, the accused can be bailed out. And that is what has happened.
As of now, extortion threats continue and many members of the community live in constant fear. The arrest and release of any accused in the Canadian justice system, only emboldens the criminals as the onus remains on the prosecution to prove their cases without “reasonable doubts”. The police have to work hard to gather enough evidence to prove their case in the courts of law.
The rise in extortion cases, particularly those targeting South Asian businesses, reflects a disturbing trend that demands a coordinated, multi-jurisdictional response, including cooperation from Indian investigative agencies.
By combining aggressive law enforcement, community outreach, and international cooperation, especially India, Canada can begin to dismantle the networks behind these crimes and restore safety to its communities. For now, the South Asian business community remains on edge, hoping the police are able to actually arrest the criminals and community can finally heave a sigh of relief.