Latest news with #SouthAsianBusinesses
CTV News
15-07-2025
- CTV News
Crime Stoppers takes ‘unusual step' to accept tips from extortion victims
A bullet hole is seen in the window of a Surrey business whose owner has been targeted in multiple extortion threats. Mero Vancouver Crime Stoppers says it has begun accepting tips from victims of extortion amid rising concerns about threats on local businesses. The organization says the move is an 'unusual step' away from its normal practice of gathering information from witnesses. 'Normally, we don't accept tips from crime victims themselves as they may be in immediate need of help and should call 9-1-1 or the police directly,' said executive director Linda Annis, in a news release Tuesday. 'However, in this instance we've to decided to relax that and accept information from targets of extortion threats, knowing their information may be of value to police.' Read more: B.C. launches campaign urging South Asian community to report extortion threats Crime Stoppers says it has received more than 70 extortion-related anonymous tips over the past year-and-a-half, which have been reported to police. 'With the ongoing threats and violence against South Asian businesses we've seen in Surrey and elsewhere, we continue to urge anyone with information to call us if they fear for their own safety and don't want to be identified in any way, and that includes people who've been threatened or become extortion victims,' Annis continued. Business owners have reported receiving phone calls demanding enormous sums – and then having their premises shot up if they don't comply. Earlier this month, the RCMP arrested two suspects connected to extortion threats in Surrey on allegations of discharging a firearm and arson. Police say they're actively investigating 12 extortion files in the city, but believe many more have gone unreported. Read more: 2 arrested amid investigation into extortion of South Asian businesses in B.C.'s Lower Mainland The Surrey Police Service recently launched a dedicated Extortion Investigation Team, and the RCMP revealed it has been probing extortions with a Joint Forces Operation that began some time last year. Extortion victims are urged to contact local police, but Crime Stoppers says some people might feel more comfortable contacting them as they guarantee anonymity. 'We understand some new Canadians might have feared the authorities in their home countries. While they're free of that burden here in Canada, a deep-seated mistrust of the police is still hard to overcome,' Annis said. 'Let me assure everyone that Crime Stoppers is not the police, and that it is totally safe for anyone to call our anonymous tips line. Even if the information seems minor, it could turn out to be a missing piece of the puzzle police need to solve the case.' Crime Stoppers can be reached at 1-800-222-8477 or With files from CTV News Vancouver's Andrew Weichel and Kevin Charach
CBC
03-07-2025
- CBC
2 people arrested in connection with extortion against South Asian businesses: RCMP
Mounties in B.C.'s Lower Mainland say two people have been arrested amid an ongoing investigation into extortion attempts against South Asian businesses in the area. The two suspects were arrested Thursday for careless discharge of a firearm and arson, related to incidents that happened in Surrey in 2024, police said in a statement. Police across the Lower Mainland have been investigating a rise in financial extortion attempts and violence since late 2023, when a string of threats were made against local South Asian businesses. Police said victims would experience acts of violence or property damage if they refused demands for large sums of money. The extortion attempts have primarily targeted South Asian businesses, police said. The suspects names have not been released, but authorities are expected to share more information at a news conference Thursday afternoon. RCMP say they launched a joint force operation into the crimes in 2024.
CTV News
03-07-2025
- CTV News
2 arrested amid investigation into extortion of South Asian businesses in B.C.'s Lower Mainland
An RCMP patch is seen on the shoulder of an assistant commissioner, in Surrey, B.C., on Friday, April 28, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck Two suspects have been arrested amid an ongoing RCMP investigation into financial extortion primarily targeting South Asian businesses in B.C.'s Lower Mainland. There have been dozens of extortion attempts reported across the region since March 2023, with business owners in some cases receiving chilling phone calls demanding millions of dollars – then having shots fired at their shops. On Thursday, the RCMP announced the arrest of two suspects for 'careless discharge of a firearm and arson' in relation to incidents that took place last year in Surrey. The individuals' names have not been released, but authorities are expected to share more information at a news conference Thursday afternoon. The RCMP also revealed for the first time that it has been investigating the extortion attempts through a Joint Force Operation that began sometime in 2024. 'These investigations take time and, for strategic investigative reasons, details of the co-ordinated policing efforts have not been shared publicly,' the RCMP said, in a news release. 'We want the public to know that police agencies across the Lower Mainland are prioritizing these investigations and are committed to working together and with communities to hold those responsible, accountable.' This is a developing story and will be updated.
CTV News
18-06-2025
- CTV News
B.C. premier wants gang labeled terrorist entity
Vancouver Watch With extortion threats targeting South Asian businesses in B.C. and beyond, David Eby says an India-based gang should be added to Canada's list of terrorist entities.
CTV News
17-06-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
B.C. premier wants Lawrence Bishnoi gang declared terrorist organization
A gang that has 'self-identified' as being involved in extortion threats targeting South Asian businesses in Canada should be declared a terrorist organization, B.C.'s premier said Tuesday. Speaking in the wake of another public safety forum held by impacted business owners and community leaders in Surrey, David Eby said he is writing to the prime minister to request the Lawrence Bishnoi gang be added to Canada's list of terrorist entities. 'This is a serious step. It gives police significant investigative tools. We don't make this recommendation lightly, but this activity strikes at public confidence in the justice system, in our democracy and in the safety of community, and it erodes public confidence in the rule of law,' Eby said. 'It is a very serious matter.' Eby noted that these extortion threats – which have been accompanied by shootings and arsons in some cases – are occurring in cities across the country, including Edmonton and Brampton. The federal list of terrorist entities includes extremist groups like ISIS and the Taliban but it also includes transnational criminal organizations, such as a number of Mexican drug cartels. 'It is not a crime to be listed,' the federal government's website says. 'However, one of the consequences of being listed is that the entity's property can be the subject of seizure/restraint and/or forfeiture. In addition, institutions such as banks, brokerages, etc. are subject to reporting requirements with respect to an entity's property and must not allow those entities to access the property.' Eby noted that there is an RCMP task force in place to investigate and respond to the extortion threats, but said traditional law enforcement tools and techniques may not be sufficient. 'They need additional tools to respond to the fact this is transnational organized crime. This is more in the nature of terrorism than it is traditional crime,' he said. 'The community is terrified, and action needs to be taken.' Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke similarly described the extortion threats and associated violence as 'economic terrorism' when speaking at a community safety meeting over the weekend that drew hundreds to a banquet hall whose owner has been repeatedly targeted. Police in Surrey say there have been 10 reported extortion threats over the last six months, but there are likely more cases that have gone unreported – meaning the true number is unknown. With files from CTV News Vancouver's Kraig Krause
