After two years from the initial report of a series of blackmail incidents in British Columbia, the province continues to face ongoing threats, demands, and associated violence.
Recently, a shooting in South Surrey, B.C., on November 8th was tied to extortion, as confirmed by the police. This incident adds to the numerous ongoing investigations in the province, with over 100 extortion cases reported in British Columbia by November 7, 2025.
The Bishnoi gang based in India has taken credit for certain Canadian shootings on social media. Police have also hinted at a connection between the Bishnoi gang and Indian government agents.
Galib Bhayani, a criminology professor at Kwantlen Polytechnic University and a former RCMP officer, noted the international nature of these extortion schemes, making it challenging for law enforcement to address them effectively.
According to Bhayani, “These [extortion incidents] are originating from India. Our information-sharing rapport with India is lacking, which hinders our ability to combat these crimes effectively.”
In the past couple of years, tensions have risen between Canada and India. The relationship deteriorated when former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Indian government agents of involvement in the assassination of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara in 2023. India dismissed the allegations as baseless and politically motivated.
The rift escalated further a year later when both countries expelled each other’s top diplomats.
Last year, RCMP Commissioner Michael Duheme disclosed strong evidence indicating the involvement of the “highest levels” of the Indian government in orchestrating violent activities on Canadian soil, including murder, extortion, and intimidation.
Duheme mentioned the challenges faced in sharing evidence with Indian authorities.
Bhayani highlighted that local B.C. police forces lack experience in handling such complex investigations, necessitating significant resources.
“The nature of these crimes, including intimidation and execution, is highly localized and often carried out by individuals familiar with cultural norms, language, and the business practices of the victims,” Bhayani explained.
He added, “Conventional policing methods are insufficient. While better international partnerships are required, the current situation demands working with the available resources.”
In September, the province announced a specialized RCMP-led task force dedicated to investigating extortion, comprising 40 members from various law enforcement agencies, including intelligence analysts.
CBC News attempted to reach out to the RCMP for an update on the extortion task force investigations but did not receive a response by the time of publication.
Cases on the rise since task force inception: RCMP
The intricacies of these investigations
