Peel regional police are investigating a 鈥渄isturbing鈥 series of nine extortion attempts targeting members of the South Asian business community.
In a Friday news release, Chief Nishan Duraiappah said the threats have 鈥渃aused grave safety and security concerns.鈥
According to police, victims were contacted through a variety of social media platforms with demands for money under threats of violence 鈥 violence that has occurred, in some incidents. In total, nine incidents are under investigation, and a 23-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly discharging a gun at Brampton businesses.
Announcing the creation of a new investigation team, Duraiappah said: 鈥淭errorizing our residents will not be tolerated.鈥
Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich told the Star Friday that there has been an escalation in the 鈥渄isturbing phenomenon.鈥
He added that Peel police are also aware that these crimes have flared up in British Columbia鈥檚 Lower Mainland, with similar recent reports of extortion letters targeting entrepreneurs.
Milinovich said while the ways in which business owners are being targeted in Peel seem to mirror the criminal schemes being used in British Columbia, to Peel, 鈥渋t鈥檚 a relatively new trend.鈥
鈥淲e have made some arrests,鈥 he said, 鈥渁nd we anticipate making more arrests.鈥
On Dec. 9, Peel police charged Tanmanjot Gill, a 23-year-old man from Abbotsford, B.C., for discharging a gun and firing multiple rounds at a business near Rutherford Road South and Clark Boulevard in Brampton.
Officers are looking for a second suspect, described as a South Asian male of medium build. The man was wearing a grey sweatshirt at the time of the incident, and later changed into a black sweatshirt with a white X on the back.
If spotted, the public is being advised to call 911 and avoid approaching the suspect, as he may be armed.
In response to these incidents, Peel police launched an Extortion Investigative Task Force (EITF).
Police say the predators are taking advantage of the fact that they often know the victim鈥檚 name, phone number, address and business information.
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown told the Star that members of his community have been targeted by extortionists asking for large sums of cash, with refusal to pay being met with threats of violence 鈥 including at least one instance of gunshots being fired at a home.
鈥淚t鈥檚 become a serious problem,鈥 Brown said.
The public is being asked to immediately contact police if they, their family, or their business is targeted with threats of violence to extort money or other valuables.
鈥淲e want people to feel comfortable and confident in letting us know, so that we can do everything necessary to keep them safe,鈥 he said.
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