Extortions ....

[Kirkhill]

Hundreds of temporary foreign workers and students and refugee claimants, operating across Canada under the direction of an out of country individual with connections to a well established gang network

Extortions, shootings, arsons, insurance fraud, auto-theft....

Given a choice between this or AI robots send in the robots.

Police chief says extortion suspects being directed from overseas, many in Canada on temporary visas

Katie McLellan says many suspects linked to a wave of extortion cases targeting the South Asian community are being directed from overseas.

calgaryherald.com

Police and partners working to end extortion affecting South Asian community

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/extortion-immigration-deportation-fraud-arson-9.7097752

 

[Kirkhill]

Extortion incidents in the Greater Vancouver Area (GVA) and surrounding Lower Mainland have escalated significantly since 2023, primarily targeting South Asian business owners and families.
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Current Situation (2025–2026)

• Incident Surge: Surrey alone reported 132 extortion attempts in 2025, with 49 of those involving gunfire. As of early 2026, cases have continued to rise, with Vancouver police confirming their first four linked investigations in February 2026.
• Tactics: Perpetrators typically use WhatsApp or other messaging services to demand large sums of money—often reaching $1 million—backed by threats of violence, arson, or shootings at homes and businesses.
• Target Demographics: The South Asian community in Surrey, Delta, Abbotsford, and Vancouver has been disproportionately affected.
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Law Enforcement Response

• Provincial Extortion Task Force: A multi-agency task force—including the BC RCMP, municipal police, and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)—is actively investigating these transnational organized crime links.
• Recent Arrests: In February 2026, several individuals were charged in connection with the task force's investigations. In March 2026, police linked an Edmonton-based network of over 50 suspects to extortion activities in BC and Ontario.
• Tip Lines:
  • Surrey Extortion Tip Line: Call 236-485-5149 (9 am – 5 pm, language services available).
  • General Reporting: Call 9-1-1 for immediate danger or your local police non-emergency line to report threats.
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Safety Recommendations

• Do Not Pay: Authorities strongly urge victims not to comply with demands or send money, as it does not guarantee safety and funds further criminal activity.
• Preserve Evidence: Save all messages, call logs, and recordings to assist investigators.
• Report Immediately: Even if no money was lost, reporting is critical for intelligence gathering. Anonymous tips can be submitted via BC Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS

 

[Kirkhill]

Extortion in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) has surged in recent years, primarily driven by organized crime networks targeting specific industries and communities.

Major Extortion Trends and Investigations

• South Asian Business Community Targets: A significant wave of extortion has targeted the South Asian community, particularly in the Peel Region (Brampton and Mississauga). Criminals often demand large sums of money (up to $200,000) via threatening texts or calls, frequently escalating to drive-by shootings and arson.
• Project Outsource (Towing Industry): In June 2025, Peel Regional Police dismantled a violent criminal network linked to the towing industry. This group used staged collisions, threats, and firearms to control local operations, resulting in 18 arrests and the seizure of 18 tow trucks and multiple firearms.
• Project South (Police Corruption): In February 2026, a major probe led to the arrest of seven active Toronto police officers. These officers are accused of leaking confidential information to organized crime figures, which allegedly facilitated extortions and shootings.
• Illegal Gambling Rings: Investigations into illegal gambling operations, such as those involving individuals known as "Frank the Tank," have revealed that victims were forced to repay inflated gambling debts under threat of violence.
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Key Statistics and Law Enforcement Response

• Increasing Frequency: Peel Region reported 476 extortion crimes in 2025, a steady increase from previous years.
• Federal Support: In early 2026, the federal government ramped up resources for FINTRAC to track financial crimes and money laundering associated with these extortion rackets.
• Task Forces: Specialized units like the Peel Extortion Investigative Task Force (EITF) have been established to handle the high volume of cases and manage community hotlines.
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Safety Recommendations
If you are targeted by an extortion attempt:

• Do Not Pay: Paying often leads to further demands.
• Report Immediately: Contact local police or the Peel EITF hotline at 1-866-966-0616.
• Secure Accounts: If your data has been compromised in a breach, change your passwords immediately.
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