BURST
The government and Crime Stoppers are launching a $100,000 “extortion awareness campaign” to help tackle the rise in cases against B.C.’s South Asian community.
The money, which includes funds from the federal government, will go toward a 60-day digital media campaign with the goal of encouraging people to share information with police.
B.C. Public Safety Minister Garry Begg said there are enough police resources dedicated to these cases, but not enough information for law enforcement to crack these cases.
“There’s no shortage of expertise on the part of police. I think there is a shortage of information that would be helpful for police to do their job,” he said, adding that anyone who has been targeted with an extortion attempt, or is aware of one, should contact police. “Reporting is the most important step in stopping extortion and keeping people safe.”
The campaign, which started Thursday, will be available in English and Punjabi, and include ads on radio, TV and social media.
According to the Crime Stoppers’ campaign site, in most extortion cases victims are contacted through letters, online messages, texts, calls or in-person and are threatened with violence, arson or shootings if they don’t pay up. Paying once doesn’t stop the criminals from demanding more, the site said.
There have been arrests in extortion cases in Edmonton and Brampton, Ont., but, to date, no arrests have been made on any Surrey cases.
Last week, B.C. Premier David Eby urged the federal government to declare the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, which he said has been linked to some extortions, a terrorist organization. Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke followed suit Wednesday, calling the incidents “economic terrorism.”
Classifying an organization as terrorists would allow Canada to freeze their assets and hamper their ability to operate in the country.
Surrey Police Service Chief Const. Norm Lipinski acknowledged “a certain level of anxiety” in the community due to the rise in extortion cases and violence, but assured the public that the cases are a “top priority.”
He said there is a dedicated team working full-time on extortion cases and with victims to ensure there’s a safety plan for them and their families. The department has also increased police presence and patrols in some areas of Surrey and have worked with the community so they know what to do should they receive an extortion threat.
“It’s important victims immediately report the incident to police and preserve text messages, voicemails and camera footage,” Lipinski said, adding people shouldn’t pay money or attempt to negotiate as that can escalate the situation.
The department has 12 extortion files since the beginning of 2025, he said, but believes there are more out there that haven’t been reported.