The RCMP are forming a national team to tackle the series of extortions targeting South Asian home builders across the country.
This team will compose of RCMP officers that are based out of British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario, which will help them co-ordinate information and investigations surrounding these extortion schemes.
In Edmonton alone, police are looking into 34 separate incidents related to this extortion scheme, with police believing that it may be from a gang in India.
According to police, Hindi-speaking suspects would contact victims over WhatsApp, threatening violence and demanding money.
The extortionists are asking for money as a form of “protection”, and if the money isn’t paid, the victims may have their businesses targeted with shootings or arson.
Several arrests have already been made in connection to these extortions. However, more incidents have been reported since the arrests.
