Continuing from the initial report in British Columbia two years ago, a series of extortion attempts have persisted, including threats, demands, and violent acts across the province.
Recently, authorities linked an extortion-related shooting in South Surrey, B.C., on November 8 to the ongoing wave of extortion incidents. Over 100 extortion cases had been reported in British Columbia by November 7, 2025.
Notably, the Bishnoi gang based in India has taken credit for certain shootings in Canada on social media. Law enforcement has indicated a potential connection between the Bishnoi gang and Indian government elements.
Galib Bhayani, a former RCMP officer and criminology professor at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, highlighted the challenges faced by police due to the international nature of these extortion schemes.
Discussing the strained Canada-India relations, the breakdown started with former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s accusations against Indian government agents in the 2023 killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India rejected the allegations as unfounded and politically driven, leading to further deterioration in bilateral relations resulting in the expulsion of each country’s top diplomats a year later.
Last year, RCMP Commissioner Michael Duheme stated that RCMP possessed compelling evidence implicating the “highest levels” of the Indian government in orchestrating violent activities in Canada, encompassing murder, extortion, and intimidation. Efforts to share evidence with Indian authorities proved futile.
Bhayani emphasized the lack of expertise among local B.C. police forces in handling such complex investigations, emphasizing the need for substantial resources. He underlined the localized nature of the crimes, often executed by individuals familiar with cultural norms, languages, and business practices of the victims.
To address the escalating extortion incidents, a dedicated RCMP-led task force comprising 40 members from various law enforcement agencies, including intelligence analysts, was established in September.
During a CBC BC-hosted extortion town hall event on November 13, the challenges associated with investigating these cases were prominently discussed. RCMP reported a surge in reported extortion cases in British Columbia following the formation of the task force, attributed in part to increased public reporting of incidents.
Jinny Sims, a former Surrey-area MP and radio host, stressed the significance of local arrests in response to the community impact of international extortion activities. Bhayani, advocating for transparency, called for regular public updates on arrests, seizures, and disruptions related to these crimes to enhance public trust in law enforcement efforts.