Stop extortion

• December 8, 2025: Charge laid in BC Extortion Task Force investigation into a November shooting in Surrey
• December 4, 2025: AbbyPD Launches Project Disengage: A Lifeline for Those Involved—or Being Recruited—Into Extortion-Related Violence
• November 28, 2025: An update from the B.C. Extortion Task Force in relation to ongoing investigations
• November 28, 2025: Trilateral summit brings leaders together to combat extortion and organized crime
• November 17, 2025: A Special Message from Chief Lipinski on Extortions in Surrey
• November 7, 2025: CBSA in British Columbia opens multiple immigration investigations and removes three individuals
• October 27, 2025: Minister Fraser, Premier Eby, and Attorney General Sharma underscore collaboration behind Canada’s new bail and sentencing reforms
• October 6, 2025: Three Charged in Extortion-Related Shooting
• October 1, 2025: One man sentenced, one man outstanding in shooting and arson investigation
• September 29, 2025: Government of Canada lists the Bishnoi Gang as a terrorist entity
• September 17, 2025: New provincial task force will target extortion threats

• Specialized B.C. Extortion Task Force to target extortion. Extortion is a national issue. The Province is working to ensure all agencies work together to address extortion threats. The Task Force is led by the B.C. RCMP. It also includes:
  • Abbotsford Police Department
  • Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit - B.C. (CFSEU-BC)
  • Delta Police Department
  • Metro Vancouver Transit Police
  • Surrey Police Service, and
  • Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)

The B.C. Extortion Task Force also works closely with law enforcement agencies in other provinces.
 

• Victims of extortion support funding. Joint funding from the provincial and federal governments is strengthening supports for victims. As part of this effort, the Government of Canada and the B.C. Government are committing $1 million to support victims of extortion. The Province will invest $500,000 for enhanced victim services and community outreach in Lower Mainland communities, particularly Abbotsford, Delta, and Surrey. Funding for police will enhance safety planning and the purchase of equipment to enhance victim safety.
• Annual funding to tackle organized crime. B.C. allocates more than $100 million each year to help keep British Columbians safe from serious and organized crime. This includes specialized enforcement and intelligence programs targeting gangs, guns and organized crime activities like extortion. Additional funding from the federal Gun and Gang Violence Action Fund helps municipal police forces investigate extortion cases that fall outside of the scope of the task force.
• Expanded investigation and enforcement activities. The Province is providing police with tools and resources to expand their investigation and enforcement activities to tackle crime. Funding for the Specialized Investigation and Targeted Enforcement (SITE) program helps police target repeat and violent offenders by strengthening investigations, improving coordination, and closely monitoring high-risk individuals.
• Supporting victims of crime. We’re working with B.C. Crime Stoppers to help people and businesses know the signs of extortion and encourage victims to report threats. This will help police identify and stop those responsible. Victims and their family may also be eligible for benefits to support their recovery.

The B.C. Extortion Task Force receives support from federal policing programs

• Regional Integrated Drug Enforcement Team. The Government of Canada in collaboration with the B.C. government is creating a Regional Integrated Drug Enforcement Team (RIDET). Backed by an investment of $4-million over four years, provided through Canada’s Border Plan, this team will bring law and border enforcement resources together from multiple agencies to fight organized drug crime and combat extortion.
• Yo Bro Yo Girl Youth Initiative. Recognizing the importance of tackling crime before it starts, the Government of Canada is committing $1.5 million through Public Safety Canada’s Crime Prevention Action Fund for the Yo Bro Yo Girl Youth Initiative. The organization will launch a Youth Engagement Hub in Surrey to help divert vulnerable youth from gangs and organized crime through programs, mentorship, employment training, and counselling for up to 1,000 young people.
• RCMP’s National Co-ordination and Support Team (NCST). The team offers co-ordination support and information sharing on extortion cases with law-enforcement agencies in affected provinces including B.C., Alberta and Ontario.

• The City of Surrey is providing the Surrey Police Service with a $250,000 reward fund for information leading to convictions in the ongoing extortion cases targeting individuals and businesses within the city.  
  • People who report threats may receive a payment if their tip directly results in identification, prosecution and conviction. 
• Abbotsford Police Department has launched Operation Community Shield, a dedicated internal task force working with provincial and federal authorities to investigate all extortion reports and urges residents and businesses to report suspicious activity.
• Delta Police Department investigate all extortion reports through a dedicated team, working closely with the B.C. Extortion Task Force and other partners to respond quickly to threats and support residents and businesses, while encouraging immediate reporting of any suspicious activity.

Since the Task Force was created in September 2025, the team has focused on:

• Investigating those responsible for the highest threats to public safety
• Suppressing the violence throughout affected communities
• Understanding linkages between files
• Establishing investigations series with evidence-based connections
• Identifying suspects and suspect groups
• Coordinating with law enforcement partners across the Province and the country
• Supporting victims and their families and helping to keep them safe

The B.C. Extortion Task Force includes more than 40 police representatives from municipal, provincial, and federal agencies, including:

• B.C. RCMP
• Surrey Police Service
• Delta Police
• Abbotsford Police
• Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia (CFSEU-BC)
• Metro Vancouver Transit Police
• Canada Border Services Agency

They also receive support from B.C. RCMP surge resources, including:

• CFSEU-BC's Uniform Gang Enforcement Team
• B.C. Highway Patrol
• Emergency Response Teams
• Police Dog Services

Extortion investigations are complex. The B.C. Extortion Task Force uses reactive and proactive enforcement and investigative strategies that are led by intelligence.

These evidence-based investigations rely on information received by the police. The B.C. Extortion Task Force and local police have liaison officers who work with victims, witnesses and local police to collect evidence and put safety plans in place as needed.

The Task Force must limit the information that is shared with the public to protect the integrity and viability of ongoing investigations.

If you are a victim of extortion:

• Report it to police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS [8477]
• Save all communications and evidence of the threats
• Do not respond to threats
• Do not comply with demands

• VictimLink BC is a free, confidential service for people across B.C. affected by crime and trauma. They can connect you with trained victim service workers that provide specialized assistance to help victims stay safe and navigate the criminal justice system.
  • Call or text: 1-800-563-0808
  • Available 24/7 in 240 languages, including Punjabi and Hindi
• Local victim service programs. Many communities offer victim service programs. You can contact them directly for more information or assistance.
  • Abbotsford Police Victim Services
    • Phone: 604-835-9696
    • Email: extortionsupport@abbypd.ca
  • Delta Police Victim Services
    • Phone: 604-940-5019
    • Email victimservices@deltapolice.ca
  • Langley RCMP Victim Services
    • Phone: 604-532-3214
    • Email langleyvictimservices@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
  • Surrey Police Victim Services
    • Phone: 604-599-7600
    • Email: victimsupport@surreypolice.ca
  • Locate victim service programs in other communities using the Victim Services Program Directory.

Victims of extortion may be eligible for benefits through the Crime Victim Assistance Program including:

• Counselling services
• Protective measures – up to $3,000 may be provided for security devices like new locks or security systems
• Relocation expenses to move to a new location may be considered in certain circumstances

Immediate family members and witnesses may also be eligible for counselling benefits.

For information and to apply, contact the Crime Victim Assistance Program directly.

• Call: 1-866-660-3888, press 5 to speak with a staff person
• Available Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm