Businesses owned by South Asians throughout Canada are on the rise in reporting incidents of extortion, some escalating into acts of violence, according to CTV News.
In a disturbing trend, South Asian businesses throughout Canada are grappling with a rising wave of violent extortion attempts, with reports emerging of businesses being shot at when they refuse to comply with monetary demands. The perpetrators typically initiate contact through phone calls or text messages, demanding substantial sums, often around one million dollars. Authorities believe that these incidents may be linked to an organized international extortion racket.
Peel Region, west of Toronto, has become a focal point for these alarming events. Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah has disclosed that at least 20 companies in the area have reported receiving extortion calls, and shockingly, six of these businesses have been targeted with gunfire after rejecting the demands. Chief Duraiappah acknowledges the sophistication of this national-level trend, prompting investigators to explore the possibility of organized crime operating from outside Canada being behind these violent acts.
Similar distressing incidents have surfaced in Surrey, B.C., leading the mayors of Surrey and Brampton, Ont., to jointly appeal to the federal minister of public safety. They are urging the initiation of a coordinated policing effort to quell this menacing trend that is posing a threat to the South Asian business community across the country. The mayors highlight the complexity and inter-jurisdictional nature of these crimes, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive strategy involving provincial and federal authorities.
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, who is also a member of the Peel Police Services Board, expresses a firm belief that organized crime entities operating from India are behind these targeted extortion attempts. His assertion is based on the collaborative investigations conducted by police in Ontario, B.C., and Alberta, all leading to the conclusion that the perpetrators have ties beyond Canadian borders.
The recent case of an exotic car dealership, Nawab Motors in Brampton, adds a chilling dimension to these incidents. Following an extortion call, gunmen targeted the dealership, firing multiple rounds and recording the assault for public dissemination. The video, attributed to a known gang leader in India named Harry Chatha, has fueled concerns within the South Asian business community. The dealership has taken measures, including installing steel plates to protect against gunfire, yet the sense of insecurity persists.
Business owners, like Nawab Motors sales manager Barjinder Singh, are calling for government action and enhanced police protection. Singh highlights the pervasive fear within the South Asian business community, emphasizing the urgent need for a resolution to prevent further harm. Meanwhile, the owner of Nawab Motors has left the country, contemplating withdrawing business investments from Canada.
The mayors' joint letter has prompted a response from the minister of public safety, acknowledging the gravity of the situation and assuring engagement with local policing partners. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are actively involved, urging potential targets to report extortion attempts promptly to their local police force.
As the exterior of Nawab Motors bears the scars of bullet holes, the entire South Asian community grapples with a profound sense of insecurity, demanding swift and effective measures to curb this alarming surge in violent extortion threats.
