Although Brampton and Mississauga have been at the center of extortion activities mainly aimed at the South Asian community, residents in smaller towns across Ontario are also facing a growing threat that has become a nationwide issue.
The number of extortion-related offenses in Peel has risen sharply since 2020, with 490 reported crimes in 2024. There was a small decrease in extortion cases in 2025, but the number of targeted businesses keeps increasing.
In recent years, extortion threats have surged in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and Nova Scotia. Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown warned that this wave of crime could spread from “hotspots” like Brampton “to every city in Canada.”
While most cases have surfaced in larger urban areas, dozens of extortion incidents are currently under investigation in rural Ontario, according to the OPP.
The Caledon and Dufferin OPP detachments now have over 50 active extortion investigations ongoing. Additionally, there have been another 10 reported incidents across Norfolk, Brant, Middlesex, and Wellington regions.
Some of these threats have escalated into shootings, as stated by the OPP.
: ‘Enough is enough,’ as Ottawa takes steps to halt extortion in Brampton and Mississauga
“These individuals have employed intimidation tactics, including discharging firearms into victims’ homes and businesses, placing community members at significant risk,” OPP Detective Inspector Matt Watson said in a release.
The threats are often made through phone calls or text messages-sometimes even via Whats App-from potentially violent criminals demanding protection money. Some of these situations have turned violent; even Brown himself has faced multiple alleged threats.
To help tackle this issue with extortionists, the federal government announced last week that it will introduce financial tracking technology aimed at tracing money flows to gather intelligence on criminals through Canadian banks and other financial service providers dealing with virtual assets like cryptocurrencies.
Police encourage anyone who has experienced extortion threats or has information about these events to reach out to the OPP by calling 1-888-310-1122. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or by visiting www. ontariocrimestoppers. ca.
When you contact Crime Stoppers you stay anonymous; you never need to testify and could be eligible for a $2,000 reward.
The measures announced by the Government of Canada include:
Prioritizing financial intelligence resources to tackle extortion so law enforcement can access timely information needed to identify criminal networks and support investigations. Launching a Countering Extortion Partnership involving financial institutions along with government agencies and law enforcement bodies such as the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions and local police. Designating financial intelligence experts from FINTRAC as dedicated liaison officers who will work directly with local law enforcement agencies particularly affected areas like Ontario. Providing clear guidance for financial institutions on how to recognize potential extortion transactions. Releasing insights on how criminals manage and conceal their extorted funds. INsauga’s Editorial Standards and Policies
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: ‘Enough is enough,’ as Ottawa takes steps to halt extortion in Brampton and Mississauga
“These individuals have employed intimidation tactics, including discharging firearms into victims’ homes and businesses, placing community members at significant risk,” OPP Detective Inspector Matt Watson said in a release.
The threats are often made through phone calls or text messages-sometimes even via Whats App-from potentially violent criminals demanding protection money. Some of these situations have turned violent; even Brown himself has faced multiple alleged threats.
To help tackle this issue with extortionists, the federal government announced last week that it will introduce financial tracking technology aimed at tracing money flows to gather intelligence on criminals through Canadian banks and other financial service providers dealing with virtual assets like cryptocurrencies.
Police encourage anyone who has experienced extortion threats or has information about these events to reach out to the OPP by calling 1-888-310-1122. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or by visiting www. ontariocrimestoppers. ca.
When you contact Crime Stoppers you stay anonymous; you never need to testify and could be eligible for a $2,000 reward.
The measures announced by the Government of Canada include:
Prioritizing financial intelligence resources to tackle extortion so law enforcement can access timely information needed to identify criminal networks and support investigations. Launching a Countering Extortion Partnership involving financial institutions along with government agencies and law enforcement bodies such as the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions and local police. Designating financial intelligence experts from FINTRAC as dedicated liaison officers who will work directly with local law enforcement agencies particularly affected areas like Ontario. Providing clear guidance for financial institutions on how to recognize potential extortion transactions. Releasing insights on how criminals manage and conceal their extorted funds. INsauga’s Editorial Standards and Policies
Last 30 Days: 55,886 Votes
All Time: 1,233,617 Votes
4916 VOTES
Source link
