BC extortion cases surge as police link shootings and threats to transnational crime, prompting new task forces and community calls for protection.
Rising Threat Across B.C. Communities
Police in Surrey, Abbotsford and Delta have reported more than 100 extortion incidents in 2025, marking one of the most significant crime waves in recent years. The targets are primarily business owners who receive anonymous demands for money, often followed by shootings or arson if they refuse. Authorities say the pattern is now widespread across British Columbia and connected provinces.
How the Scheme Typically Unfolds
Victims often report receiving a phone call, text message or letter instructing them to pay large sums to avoid harm. If the demand is ignored, shots are frequently fired at homes or storefronts, leaving shattered glass and rising fear within local business communities. Police say the tactic is designed to intimidate victims into silence and compliance.
Early Incidents in Alberta
The trend first drew national attention in October 2023 in Edmonton, where police documented extortion, arson and drive-by shootings targeting home builders. Investigators at the time noted many victims were from South Asian business networks. Edmonton Police later reported evidence that some suspects coordinated through WhatsApp, demanding hundreds of thousands of dollars.
First Reports in British Columbia
By November 2023, similar incidents emerged in Surrey. Gunfire struck the Payal Business Centre, prompting RCMP to issue public warnings urging business owners to come forward. The same month, the fatal shooting of Edmonton resident Harry Uppal revealed links to the Brothers Keepers, a B.C.-based organized crime group.
Spread to Ontario and National Coordination
In December 2023, police in the Greater Toronto Area reported extortion attempts involving threats, vandalism and firearms offences. Peel Regional Police formed an Extortion Investigative Task Force, signaling the issue had moved beyond localized incidents to a broader criminal network operating across provinces.
Community Calls for Action
January 2024 brought the first major public response in Surrey, where hundreds gathered at a local temple to call for greater police presence and support for victims. Officials urged targeted individuals not to pay extortionists and to work directly with law enforcement. However, reports of continued threats persisted across multiple sectors.
Industry Groups Sound the Alarm
By mid-2024, the trucking industry raised concerns after several company owners reported repeated threats and property damage. Some business owners described gasoline attacks, vandalism and repeated phone demands for payment within strict deadlines. Police continued to warn that paying extortionists emboldens further attempts.
High-Profile Attacks Draw International Attention
In September 2024, gunfire and arson targeted the Victoria-area home of Punjabi singer AP Dhillon. Media later reported an online claim of responsibility linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, a criminal network based in India. Federal police have since stated that several key extortion operations in Canada show links to Indian-based organized groups.
Federal Allegations of State-Linked Activity
In October 2024, RCMP leadership alleged the “highest levels” of the Indian government had connections to violent intimidation operations on Canadian soil, including extortion. Attempts to share evidence with Indian law enforcement have reportedly stalled, further complicating international cooperation.
Escalation into 2025
From June to August 2025, shootings increased across Surrey, with multiple cafés, trucking businesses and private residences struck by gunfire. Some locations, including Kap’s Café, were targeted repeatedly. Property damage and fear of injury escalated across business districts.
Provincial Response and Task Force Creation
On September 25, 2025, the Province of British Columbia formed a joint provincial task force led by the RCMP, involving municipal police and federal border agencies. Shortly after, the federal government designated the Bishnoi gang as a terrorist organization, granting additional enforcement tools including asset seizure and terrorism-related charges.
Recent Arrests and Ongoing Investigations
Police announced multiple arrests in October 2025 related to shootings and arson cases, though several suspects were released pending further investigation. On Oct. 7, a Surrey woman became the first confirmed injury in an extortion-related shooting, intensifying public concern. By early November, the Canada Border Services Agency reported reviewing 78 foreign nationals and removing three from the country.
Continuing Challenges Ahead
Officials say dismantling the networks behind the extortion wave remains complex due to cross-border coordination, encrypted communication and influence from criminal groups abroad. Community leaders and police continue to urge victims to report threats immediately, emphasizing that silence enables further violence.
