Police in Canada are currently investigating a series of extortions and related crimes that they believe are being coordinated by a suspect in India and involve criminals in Edmonton, Alberta, who are targeting the region’s wealthy South Asian individuals.
The Edmonton Police has described this as a new trend in Canada, where victims typically receive a WhatsApp message demanding compensation for their safety.
Similar incidents have also been reported in British Columbia and Ontario, but the police have stated that there is no evidence to suggest that those incidents are connected to the ones in the Edmonton area.
Between October and January, Edmonton Police has received reports of 27 incidents, including extortions, arson, and drive-by shootings. They are urging other potential victims to come forward.
“At this time, we believe the series of incidents has been committed by a group of local individuals being directed by a suspect in India,” said Edmonton police inspector Lance Parker during a press conference.
Parker also disclosed that the police have arrested six young males in connection with the arson and firearms offenses. No injuries have been reported from the shootings, but there was at least C$9 million ($6.7 million) in property damage.
The police declined to provide further details about the Indian connection, noting that Canada’s federal police, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, are handling the investigation’s cross-border aspect.
In recent months, diplomatic relations between India and Canada have deteriorated due to Canada’s allegations linking Indian agents to the murder of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia last year. India has denied these allegations, and Canadian authorities have not charged anyone for the killing.
About 4% of the Canadian population has Indian heritage, making Canada home to one of the largest communities of Indian origin, according to the Canadian foreign ministry.
($1 = 1.3487 Canadian dollars)
(Reporting by Ismail Shakil in Ottawa)
