A pretty social media influencer, who’s known to speak sexy-accented Punjabi to sell cars and other related products in the Peel Region area, is among five more people arrested and charged in connection with extortion-related incidents that targeted South Asian businesses in Brampton and Mississauga. Peel Regional Police announced the arrests in a news release recently, saying they have now arrested 21 people and laid 154 charges as part of their Extortion Investigative Task Force (EITF), which launched in 2023. The arrest of model-like 21-year-old Rukhsar Achakzai created much buzz on social media with hundreds of tik-tok post celebrating her arrest but it seems like “Bad-Girl” Rukhsar wasn’t fazed as she made her own cringe videos as if nothing had happened and offered defence that it was all a misunderstanding. The others charged are 25-year-old Harmanjit Singh, 44-year-old Tejinder Tatla, 24-year-old Dinesh Kumar and 27-year-old Bandhumaan Sekhon. They are facing a total of 16 charges.

By PD Raj – Senior Reporter DESIBUZZCanada 

With News Files

TORONTO – A pretty social media influencer, who’s known to speak sexy-accented Punjabi to sell cars and other related products in the Peel Region area us among five more people arrested and charged in connection with extortion-related incidents that targeted South Asian businesses in Brampton and Mississauga.

Peel Regional Police announced the arrests in a news release recently, saying they have now arrested 21 people and laid 154 charges as part of their Extortion Investigative Task Force (EITF), which launched in 2023.

The arrest of model-like 21-year-old Rukhsar Achakzai created much buzz on social media with hundreds of tik-tok post celebrating her arrest but it seems like “Bad-Girl” Rukhsar wasn’t fazed as she made her own cringe videos as if nothing had happened and offered defence that it was all a misunderstanding.

The others charged are 25-year-old Harmanjit Singh, 44-year-old Tejinder Tatla, 24-year-old Dinesh Kumar and 27-year-old Bandhumaan Sekhon. They are facing a total of 16 charges.

 “The EITF continues to work closely with law enforcement partners across Canada and the U.S. to investigate these incidents, and we anticipate our efforts will lead to further arrests and charges,” Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah said in a video statement.

“Anyone who receives a demand for money under the threat of violence is urged not to make any form of payment and to call the police immediately.”

Victims of these incidents are often contacted through social media platforms, such as WhatsApp and Facebook, which allow online chat groups, police said.

They alleged the suspects would demand large sums of money from victims under the threat of violence.

“These incidents have included damage to property, threats of violence, and firearm-related offences,” police said.

Three of the five suspects are from Brampton, while the other two are from Hamilton and British Columbia, respectively.

The investigations have also led to the seizure of 20 firearms, 11 kilograms of meth, more than $10,000 in proceeds of crime, and the recovery of six stolen vehicles.

The fight against extortion targeting South Asian businesses in Brampton and Mississauga continues to be a high priority for Peel Regional Police, police said.

Here are descriptions of the Criminals arrested and charged:

Bandhumaan Sekhon, 27, of British Columbia, was arrested on Aug. 19 for an incident in January. He was charged with conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, unauthorized possession of a prohibited device or ammunition, knowledge of unauthorized possession of firearm, careless use of a firearm, weapon, prohibited device or ammunition, possession of property obtained by crime, and possess firearm with altered serial number.

Harmanjit Singh, 25, of Brampton, was arrested on July 4 for an incident in May. He was charged with extortion, utter threat to cause bodily harm or death, point firearm, assault with a weapon and obstruct peace officer.

Tejinder Tatla, 44, of Brampton, was arrested on July 25 for threats that were made toward a business owner and his family members in June. A search warrant led to the seizure of three firearms. He has been charged with extortion and unsafe storage.

Rukhsar Achakzai, 21, of Brampton, was arrested on July 30 for incidents dating back to September 2023. She was charged with extortion and mischief under $5,000.

Dinesh Kumar, 24, of Hamilton, was arrested on Aug. 14 for an incident in July. He was charged with extortion and was released from custody with a future court date and conditions to abide by.

 “These incidents have included damage to property, threats of violence, and firearm-related offences. Victims of these incidents are often contacted through social media platforms, such as WhatsApp and Facebook, which allow online chat groups,” Peel police said in a news release.

Anyone with information or who is a victim of an extortion-related offence, is asked to call the Extortion Investigative Task Force at 1-866-966-0616, email taskforce@peelpolice.ca or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).