Five arrested in extortion attempts involving South Asian businesses in Ontario

Gagan Ajit Singh Photos: Peel Regional Police

ONTARIO’S Peel Regional Police on Wednesday announced that five people, including two females, have been arrested and face almost two dozen charges in connection with the extortion of South Asian businesses.

Peel Regional Police had set up an Extortion Investigative Task Force (EITF) in response to extortion attempts involving the South Asian community. Police have received 29 reports of extortion incidents so far. Nine of them involved shootings, most of which involved premises that were unoccupied. There have been no reported injuries.

The targets have been mostly restaurants and bakeries, trucking and transport companies, independent used car dealerships and jewelry shops.

The Peel Regional Police Extortion Investigative Task Force (EITF), with the support of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), executed a search warrant resulting in the arrest of four individuals concerning recent incidents that occurred throughout the Greater Toronto Area since December 2023.  These incidents included mischief to property, threats, and firearms-related offences.

On January 24, 2024, the EITF executed a search warrant at a residence in the City of Brampton and charged four individuals.

Gagan Ajit Singh, 23, of Brampton was charged with:

  • Extortion (two counts)
  • Utter threats to cause death
  • Discharge firearm with intent
  • Arson causing damage to property
  • Unauthorized possession of a firearm
  • Possession of a prohibited device
  • Possession of a firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized
  • Possession of prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition
  • Fraud over $5,000
Anmoldeep Singh

Anmoldeep Singh, 23, of Mississauga, was charged with:

  • Unauthorized possession of a firearm
  • Unauthorized possession of prohibited or restricted weapon
  • Knowledge of unauthorized possession of firearm
  • Possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition
  • Fraud over $5,000

Gagan Ajit Singh and Anmoldeep Singh were held for bail hearings and attended the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton.

Hashmeet Kaur, a 25-year-old female from Brampton, was charged with:

  • Unauthorized possession of a firearm
  • Unauthorized possession of prohibited or restricted weapon
  • Knowledge of unauthorized possession of firearm
  • Possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm

Iymanjot Kaur, a 21-year-old female from Brampton, was charged with the following:

  • Unauthorized possession of a firearm
  • Unauthorized possession of prohibited or restricted weapon
  • Knowledge of unauthorized possession of firearm
  • Possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm

Iymanjot Kaur and Hashmeet Kaur will attend the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton at a later date.

On Friday, January 26, 2024, a 32-year-old victim allegedly received a phone call and threatening WhatsApp messages demanding large sums of money.

Arundeep Thind

Arundeep Thind, a 39-year-old man of no fixed address, is charged with extortion.

He was held for a bail hearing and attended the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton.

Through funding provided by the Ontario Government, Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario supported this Peel Regional Police investigation.

Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah.

“We understand the impact these incidents have caused the victims and their families, and see how deeply these incidents are being felt throughout our community. We took immediate steps in mobilizing the Extortion Investigative Task Force. With the help of our community, we have made arrests and will continue to hold accountable those responsible. We believe that there could be more residents and businesses who may have been contacted. I urge those business owners and community members to come forward to speak with our Extortion Investigative Task Force,” said Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah.

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

 

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