Edmonton police holds extortion scheme town hall for South Asian community
Edmonton police are hosting a town hall for the city's South Asian community about an ongoing extortion scheme.
The Edmonton Police Service says it's holding the 7 p.m. meeting Thursday at the Ridgewood Community League hall, located at 3705 Mill Woods Rd. East, to address concerns and share information.
Police have investigated at least 27 cases of extortion, arson, shootings and other gun-related offences since October.
Homebuilders have been receiving WhatsApp texts or calls demanding large sums of money.
If they don't pay, their new-build homes are being burned down. Follow-up demands for more money have led to drive-by shootings.
No one has been injured in the shootings, but one firefighter was hurt during one of the arsons.
Police estimate the property damage from the cases is worth $9 million.
Jasvir Deol, the MLA for the southeast city Edmonton-Meadows riding who plans to attend Thursday night's meeting, has sent a letter to the minister of public safety asking the province to provide necessary resources and support to police.
He tells CTV News Edmonton the town hall meeting will help strengthen trust with police.
"There's probably a lot of fear among them, like what would happen if they go to police and to what extent they could feel safe and what kind of threat they will face," Deol said.
"The police coming into the community and organizing this town hall is a very initial step ensuring that the police force has peoples' backs and people can come forward."
Recent extortion attempts in Canada go beyond Edmonton.
In the Peel region west of Toronto, police are investigating 29 separate cases of attempted extortion targeting South Asian business owners in a rash of crime Brampton’s mayor says is “terrorizing” the community.
Investigators there on Wednesday identified five suspects who have been arrested in connection with three alleged incidents across the Greater Toronto Area since December 2023. Police said of the 29 cases under investigation, nine incidents have involved shootings at local businesses, with multiple bullets being fired. No injuries have been reported.
Eerily similar, violent extortion attempts have also been reported in Surrey, B.C., prompting the mayors of both Surrey and Brampton to pen a joint letter calling on the federal minister of public safety to begin prioritizing a co-ordinated policing effort across the country to bring an end to this violent trend.
"The complexity and inter-jurisdictional nature of these crimes necessitate a more comprehensive strategy involving provincial and federal authorities," the joint letter reads.
A spokesperson from the minister of public safety's office told CTV News in a recent statement the extortion threats "are deeply concerning."
"The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are engaged with their local policing partners on this issue," the spokesperon said.
"If Canadians suspect they are the target of an extortion attempt, they should report it immediately to their local police force."
Anyone who has received a threat that may be related to the extortion scheme is asked to call EPS at 780-423-4567 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
With files from CTV News's Nav Sangha, Phil Tsekouras and Adrian Ghobrial
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL has suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.