‘Protection money’: Mounting fears over extortion letters targeting B.C. businesses

globalnews.ca:

There are growing concerns about reported extortion attempts targeting members of the South Asian community in B.C.’s Fraser Valley.

Earlier this month, police in both Abbotsford and Surrey issued warnings following reports of individuals being targeted with extortion letters.

Global News has now obtained one of those letters, which claims to be from an “Indian gang.”

“We want your share from  your business like protection money,” the letter states.

“We are asking only two million. We have links all over. Do not ignore us. It will effect you real bad.”

Former B.C. solicitor general Kash Heed said extortion schemes targeting ethnic communities, including South Asian British Columbians, were endemic in the early 2000s.

“Most of the people paid a sum of money, a sum of, if you want to call it, protection money,” he told Global News.

“Certainly not to the extent of millions and millions of dollars. But this is a level we seem to be going to now, where people are making these outrageous demands and threats.”

The extortion letter obtained by Global News also makes reference to alleged shootings targeting two houses because their owners had refused to comply with demands for cash.

It warns the recipient if they want to do business in Abbotsford they need to pay up, adding that if they go to police, “no more letter only bullet.”

Abbotsford police say they have not been able to confirm connections between the extortion letters and gunfire.

Surrey Centre MP Randeep Sarai said the reported threats have caused concern, “particularly to the South Asian business community.’

“We’re asking that they all collaborate and correspond to the police and report any such threats whether they are over the phone, via text message or otherwise,”