Peel Regional Police have announced that a specialized task force investigating a series of extortion attempts against South Asian business owners has uncovered 29 cases and laid charges against several individuals connected to these incidents.
The Extortion Investigative Task Force, established in December, has already laid 24 charges in relation to the ongoing investigations. According to Superintendent Shelley Thompson, who heads the unit, the targeted businesses, including restaurants, bakeries, trucking companies, and used car dealerships, have all been contacted through various means, such as phone calls, social media apps, or video calling services like WhatsApp.
Thompson revealed that in nine instances, firearms were discharged at unoccupied businesses, though no injuries have been reported. The financial demands imposed on the victims vary, with perpetrators typically demanding cash or money transfers in Canadian dollars or Indian rupees.
The scope of similar extortion attempts extends beyond Peel, with investigations also underway in Edmonton, the Lower Mainland of B.C., and several jurisdictions in the U.S. Peel’s task force is collaborating with law enforcement agencies across these regions, as well as with counterparts in India.
While there is no definitive evidence linking the extortion attempts to broader Indian organized crime networks, investigators are actively exploring this possibility. Thompson emphasized the importance of community cooperation in identifying additional victims, acknowledging the fear and hesitancy prevalent among affected individuals.
In a recent development, arrests have been made in connection with extortion attempts targeting a Caledon business owner. Among those arrested, a 23-year-old man from Brampton faces multiple charges including extortion, uttering threats, discharging a firearm, arson, and fraud. Others involved, including a 24-year-old man from Mississauga and two Brampton women, face charges related to firearms offenses.
The ongoing efforts of the Peel Police task force reflect a commitment to addressing these acts of intimidation within the South Asian community, with Thompson urging any victims to come forward and report such incidents. Contact information for the task force and a dedicated hotline for extortion attempts have been provided for those seeking assistance or information.
