Rampant extortion threats in Surrey’s South Asian community is forcing police agencies to change tactics to deal with the rising criminal racket. Following a number of extortions being reported to police in Surrey, Surrey Police Service (SPS) and the RCMP Surrey Provincial Operations Support Unit (SPOSU) are working to advance these investigations and determine any linkages. Victims of extortions should call 911 and report the incidents to Surrey Police Service. Anyone with information concerning extortions should contact our non-emergency line at 604-599-0502 or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or www.solvecrime.ca, should they wish to remain anonymous.

By DESIBUZZCanada Staff

SURREY – Rampant extortion threats in Surrey’s South Asian community is forcing police agencies to change tactics to deal with the rising criminal racket.

Following a number of extortions being reported to police in Surrey, Surrey Police Service (SPS) and the RCMP Surrey Provincial Operations Support Unit (SPOSU) are working to advance these investigations and determine any linkages. 

SPS and SPOSU are also meeting regularly with other regional police agencies who have similar investigations and they are in contact with the RCMP National Coordination and Support Team (NCST), which is providing national coordination and tools to help advance extortion investigations.

Numerous police agencies in Canada have reported that individuals or businesses from the South Asian community are contacted through a letter, phone calls or social media and demands for money are made under threats of violence. There are often indicators that criminal connections and activities extend well beyond the boundaries of the city itself.

Over the past six months, there have been 10 reports of extortion in Surrey. SPS and SPOSU are working to address these files in a comprehensive and coordinated fashion that ensures intelligence is shared and all leads and investigative avenues are pursued. Investigators are also working closely with the victims of these crimes to provide support and updates.

In addition, SPS has stood up its own Extortion Investigations Team which has dedicated resources to respond to and investigate all reported extortions in the Newton and Whalley/City Centre areas of Surrey, where SPS is currently leading police operations (SPOSU leads operations in Surrey’s other policing districts at this point in the policing transition). This team will allow SPS to respond to local incidents with investigative expertise, while also sharing intelligence and assisting policing partners in larger scale investigations. SPS has also increased patrols in a number of business areas.

SPS will attend Sunday’s public safety forum at Reflections Banquet Hall, which is being organized by individuals from Surrey’s South Asian community.

“It is critical to all of us at Surrey Police Service that we tackle this trend of extortions head on, with significant police resources and intelligence led investigative work,” said SPS Chief Constable Norm Lipinski. “It is equally important that we collaborate with the victims and the broader community so we can deal with this issue together.”

As with all criminal activity, the community plays an integral role in working to improve public safety. It remains vitally important for victims to contact police and for witnesses to come forward to provide information that can advance these important investigations.

 “We are concerned there may be additional victims who have complied with extortion demands or have not reported their situation to the police,” says Chief Superintendent Wendy Mehat, Officer in Charge of the RCMP Surrey Provincial Operations Support Unit. “We discourage anyone from responding to such demands. Officers are working to prevent these traumatizing situations and to holding those responsible to account.”

Victims of extortions should call 911 and report the incidents to Surrey Police Service. Anyone with information concerning extortions should contact our non-emergency line at 604-599-0502 or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or www.solvecrime.ca, should they wish to remain anonymous.