REGION OF PEEL, ON: The Peel Regional Police Extortion Investigative Task Force (EITF), with the support of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has arrested and charged many individuals including two women due to their alleged involvement in extortion attempts against members of the region’s South Asian community.
The extortion incidents occurred throughout the Greater Toronto Area since December 2023. Police held a news conference this week and identified 5 suspects who have been arrested in connection with three alleged incidents.
Task force lead Supt. Shelley Thompson said of the 29 cases under investigation, nine incidents have involved shootings at local businesses, with multiple bullets being fired. No injuries have been reported. She said it was important to encourage the community to come forward and report extortions. She informed me that the businesses that are being victimized are South Asian-owned and mostly but not limited to restaurants, bakeries, trucking, transport, car dealerships, and jewelry stores.
She informed that the suspects typically contact the victims by phone, or social media, and demand a cash payment or money transfer, either in Canadian currency or Indian rupees, under threat of violence.
Gagan Ajit Singh, a 23-year-old man from Brampton, Anmoldeep Singh, a 23-year-old man from Mississauga, Hashmeet Kaur, a 25-year-old female from Brampton, Iymanjot Kaur, a 21-year-old female from Brampton, have been charged. Gagan Ajit Singh and Anmoldeep Singh were held for bail hearings and attended the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton. Iymanjot Kaur and Hashmeet Kaur will attend the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton at a later date.
The police informed that on Friday, January 26, 2024, additional arrest was made. A 32-year-old victim allegedly received a phone call and threatening WhatsApp messages demanding large sums of money. Arundeep Thind, a 39-year-old man of no fixed address, is charged with extortion. He was held for a bail hearing and attended the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton.
“We understand the impact these incidents have caused the victims and their families, and see how deeply these incidents are being felt throughout our community. We took immediate steps in mobilizing the Extortion Investigative Task Force. With the help of our community, we have made arrests and will continue to hold accountable those responsible. We believe that there could be more residents and businesses who may have been contacted. I urge those business owners and community members to come forward to speak with our Extortion Investigative Task Force,” said Peel Regional Police Chief, Nishan Duraiappah.
Speaking alongside Peel Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah, Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said the five arrests represent a “big win” for public safety in the region. “This was terrorizing our community. This was terrorizing the South Asian community,” he said.
Through funding provided by the Ontario Government, Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario supported this Peel Regional Police investigation.
, she said.
“Obviously, people are making payments,” Brown said. “People are falling victim otherwise it wouldn’t continue to be replicated in Peel and across Canada and the U.S. and so if these crimes go unabated, then they’ll continue to flourish, continue to grow.”
The extortion attempts have led to violence in some cases, they said. The suspects also often know the victim’s name, phone number, address, and business information, PRP said.
Since October 2023, police in the Lower Mainland and other provinces have been receiving reports of small businesses facing threats through phone calls, WhatsApp messages, and letters, compelling them to provide monetary concessions. Surrey had 3 confirmed cases, with the cities of West Vancouver, Abbotsford, Edmonton (Alberta), and Brampton (Ontario) also confirming similar threats.
In an open letter published earlier this month, Brown and Surrey, B.C. Mayor Brenda Locke expressed “deep concern” over the growing number of “extortion attempts and violent acts, including shootings” in the two cities.
“This alarming development underscores the severity and widespread nature of these threats, which are predominantly targeting members of the South Asian business community. Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and local police departments including Peel Regional Police, have acknowledged the gravity of the situation,” the letter read.
