Canada: Police forms national team to investigate extortion cases targeting South Asians

Ontario police are investigating a string of extortion cases targeting local businesses, including a Caledon auto dealer who says he was ordered to pay $200,000 in December under threats of violence.

The dealer told investigators he received a WhatsApp call from an unknown number demanding payment in either a Canadian or Indian account. Initially dismissing the threat, he later arrived at his lot on December 6 to find bullets scattered and 11 vehicles damaged by gunfire.

A Brampton restaurant owner reported a similar case on January 19, saying threats escalated into a ransom demand backed by violence.

Business owners say the pattern has created fear across the region. “This is no longer just about one community — it’s about the safety of everyone who runs a business in Canada,” the Caledon dealer told Connect Newsroom over the phone.

In response, Peel Police have created a 23-member task force to coordinate investigations. Officials say the unit will focus on linking cases, gathering intelligence, and working with federal partners to examine possible transnational connections.

Local councillors have called for stronger penalties and more federal resources to combat organized crime, warning that unchecked extortion could discourage investment and shake public confidence in policing.