Five arrests in extortions terrorizing South Asian businesses in Peel

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Five people have been charged in two separate extortions that allegedly involved threats of violence against South Asian business owners in Peel Region.

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And it appears to be a growing trend that has instilled fear in the community.

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At a Wednesday morning news conference, Peel Regional Police said 29 reports of extortion dating back to November 2023 are currently being investigated by an extortion investigative task force, a group of about two dozen detectives formed in December to address the growing number of reported incidents.

Police said businesses targeted include restaurants and bakeries, trucking and transport companies, used car dealerships and jewelry stores, as well as homes of business owners.

The victims, who are contacted either by phone or through internet-based private messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, are being extorted for money, police said, explaining they are threatened with violence to them, their family or business associates.

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The victims are asked to pay in Canadian currency or Indian rupees, in cash or money transfer.

Of the reported incidents, nine involved shootings, but there have been no reported injuries, cops added.

Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah said he is encouraging the community to report extortion attempts and threats so the perpetrators can be punished and to ensure people feel safe.

“Anyone targeting this community will not be tolerated at all,” he said.

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Duraiappah said there are similar extortion trends affecting South Asian communities in Alberta and British Columbia’s Lower Mainland, as well as certain locations in the United States.

He said his investigators are either communicating or working with police agencies across the province and country, along with the RCMP and authorities in India, to see if there are any connections or similarities to the crimes committed.

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Since the task force was created, five people have been charged.

“It is absolutely our responsibility to make sure that we respond and end this trend,” Duraiappah said.

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said it’s a “big relief” for the South Asian community to hear about the recent arrests after receiving “harrowing” phone calls from business owners and families that were terrified.

“We have sent a clear message that if you are going to terrorize our residents, it will not be tolerated,” he said. “These types of heinous crimes will not go unchecked in Peel Region or in Canada.”

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Police say a search warrant was executed on Jan. 24 at a Brampton residence in relation to an alleged extortion of a Caledon business owner.

The incidents, which included extortions, arson, threats and the use of firearms, occurred in Brampton and Caledon in January and December.

Four people were charged and police say they seized more than 50 cellphones, 11 laptops, a large sum of cash and a firearm with several rounds of ammunition.

Gagan Ajit Singh, 23, of Brampton, is charged with two counts of extortion, uttering threats to cause death, arson causing damage to property, several gun charges including discharging a firearm with intent, and fraud over $5,000.

Anmoldeep Singh, 23, of Mississauga, is charged with four firearm offences as well as fraud over $5,000.

Two women from Brampton – Hashmeet Kaur, 25, and Iymanjot Kaur, 21 – also face four firearm charges.

In another incident, police said a 32-year-old victim allegedly received a phone call and threatening WhatsApp messages demanding large sums of money on Jan. 26.

Arundeep Thind, a 39-year-old man of no fixed address, was charged with extortion.

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