Extortion Fraud

In recent years, members of the South Asian community in Alberta, particularly in Edmonton and Calgary, have been targeted by extortion schemes involving threats, arson, and gun violence. These criminal activities have understandably led to concern from families and business owners, prompting co-ordinated investigations by local and national law enforcement.

Extortion happens when someone unlawfully obtains money, property or services from a person, entity, or institution through coercion.

In Alberta, we are seeing similarities in the extortion threats in the victims targeted, tactics used, and ties to organized crime.

Victims targeted: South Asian business owners have been singled out, often receiving threats via social media demanding large sums of money.

Tactics used: Threats include violence and property damage. Several homes and businesses have been burned or shot at when victims refused to pay.

Organized crime links: Information from police agencies across Canada suggests many of these extortion attempts are connected to organized crime.

Since early 2024, multiple incidents targeting the South Asian community have been reported and are currently being investigated. No injuries have been reported, however victims have received threats via WhatsApp and international calls. Several shootings in Calgary are also believed to be connected.

What is the Calgary Police Service's response?

• We are committed to thoroughly investigating these cases and have reallocated internal resources to help identify and charge those responsible.
• We are also working closely with our policing partners in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario and nationally through the RCMP to identify potential links between cases and similar extortion files nationwide.
• We are holding townhalls and engaging with the community to share information as well as to encourage victims to come forward and share information.
• We have engaged the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT) to leverage province-wide law enforcement resources.

What can people do to keep themselves, their families and communities safe from extortion frauds?

Public safety is our only priority. In Canada, police do not ask for or report the immigration status of victims or witnesses. Do not let threats about your status keep you from seeking protection.

If you have been contacted by someone making extortion demands, we urge you to contact police immediately. Do NOT share personal or financial information over the phone or online, including social media.

• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash or valuables.
• Stay alert, especially when leaving places of worship, businesses, or community events.
• Travel in groups whenever possible, particularly at night.

Organized crime thrives when people feel alone. Regular community gatherings whether cultural, religious, or social help strengthen resilience.

Build strong community and business networks

• Create small, trusted circles where people can safely share concerns.
• Encourage regular check‑ins between families and business owners.
• Support newcomers or isolated members who may be more vulnerable.

A united community is harder for organized groups to intimidate.

Strengthen safety in homes, businesses, and gathering places

• Improve lighting around entrances, parking areas, and alleyways.
• Use cameras that save footage to the cloud.
• Keep doors locked and use peepholes or cameras before opening.
• Maintain clear visibility from counters to entrances in shops.
• Keep doors and windows locked, even when you're home.
• Use safes for valuables and avoid displaying wealth publicly.

Train Community Members and Employees on Safe Responses

Provide simple, calm scripts for anyone confronted:

• “I’m not authorized to make decisions.”
• “You’ll need to contact the owner by email.”
• “I can’t provide that information.”
• No arguing, no personal details, no promises.

Online and phone safety

• Be cautious of suspicious calls or messages demanding money.
• Never share personal or financial information unless you're certain of the source.
• Staying vigilant and informed is key to protecting yourself and your community.

Observe without engaging

Focus on details that don’t require confrontation:

• Clothing, height, build
• Distinguishing features
• Behaviour
• Exact wording of threats
• Vehicle make, model, colour, direction of travel

No one should follow or film someone if it feels unsafe.

Use security systems instead of personal recordings

• Cameras at entrances and parking lots
• Cloud‑based storage
• Staff trained to save clips properly

This protects people from drawing attention to themselves.

Establish safe, low‑risk reporting options

Many people fear reporting because of immigration status or retaliation. In Canada:

• Victims can report crimes regardless of immigration status.
• Crime Stoppers allows anonymous reporting.
• Community organizations can act as intermediaries if people are afraid to speak directly to authorities.

Even if someone chooses not to report, documenting incidents privately is still valuable.

Use Community Organizations as Safety Anchors

Ethnic communities often trust cultural associations, faith groups, or settlement agencies more than formal systems. These groups can:

• Offer confidential guidance
• Help people communicate with authorities
• Provide safety planning
• Connect victims with legal or immigration resources

This reduces fear and isolation.

Crime Stoppers is a community‑based program that allows people to share information about crime completely anonymously. It works through three basic steps:

You provide an anonymous tip

• You can call, submit online, or use their app.
• You do not give your name, phone number, or any personal details.
• Your call is not recorded, and your IP address is not tracked.

Crime Stoppers passes the information to police

• They remove anything that could identify you.
• Police receive only the details of the crime or suspicious activity.

You stay anonymous even if there are charges laid

• You’re given a confidential code number to check the status of your tip.
• If the information leads to an arrest or charges, you may be eligible for a reward, collected anonymously.

No one, not police, or lawyers, or the courts can force Crime Stoppers to reveal your identity, because they never collect it in the first place.

Contact police any time you believe someone is in immediate danger or a crime is actively happening. This includes situations such as:

• Threats of violence against a person, family, or business
• Someone showing weapons or acting aggressively
• Extortion demands made in person
• Suspicious individuals repeatedly visiting homes or businesses
• Vandalism, break‑ins, or attempts to force entry
• Following, stalking, or attempts to intimidate
• Any situation where you feel unsafe or fear harm

If the danger is happening right now, call 911.

If the situation is not urgent but still concerning, you can contact the non‑emergency police line at 403-266-1234 or speak with a community resource officer.

You do not need to prove anything before calling. You do not need immigration status to ask for help. You do not have to give your name if you are only seeking general guidance.

Police can only act on what they know and even small pieces of information help them protect the community.

The CPS also has a dedicated email address for the ongoing extortions, you can email them directly at: extortion@calgarypolice.ca

Please note this email address is not monitored 24/7.