Mayors of Brampton And Surrey Expresses ‘Deep Concern’ Over Rise In Extortion Threats To South Asian Businesses

The mayors of Brampton and Surrey, B.C., are urgently appealing to the federal government for heightened intervention in response to a concerning surge in extortion threats directed at members of the South Asian business community.

In a letter to Canada’s Public Safety Minister, Dominic LeBlanc, this week, Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown and Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke conveyed their “deep concern” regarding the escalating number of “extortion attempts and violent acts, including shootings.”

“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,” emphasized the mayors in their letter.

Peel police have recently initiated a dedicated task force, labeled the Extortion Investigative Task Force, to scrutinize 16 incidents of extortion. Victims, as per police reports, have been contacted via social media, with demands for money accompanied by “threats of violence, which have occurred in some incidents.”

According to law enforcement, the perpetrators often possess detailed information about the victims, including their name, phone number, address, and business details.

“The complexity and inter-jurisdictional nature of these crimes necessitate a more comprehensive strategy involving provincial and federal authorities. It is imperative the federal government, through your Ministry, takes a leading role in facilitating this collaboration,” emphasized the mayors in their letter.

“By leveraging the resources and intelligence capabilities of the RCMP, in concert with local law enforcement agencies, we can formulate a robust and unified approach to tackle this issue.”

Highlighting that these incidents have “instilled fear” in their respective communities, the mayors underscored their unwavering commitment to resident safety and community prosperity.

“We are deeply committed to the safety of our residents and the prosperity of our community,” the letter concluded.

“We implore you to prioritize this issue and engage in a concerted effort with local and provincial authorities, along with necessary federal agencies, to develop a comprehensive strategy to address these extortion threats.”

Parvasi Media Group