Extortion, shootings target South Asian businesses

South Asian businesses across Canada are increasingly reporting extortion attempts that have turned violent. First, they receive a phone call or text message, usually demanding one million dollars. Then, in some cases, bullets begin to fly.

These attempts may be linked to an organized international extortion racket.

West of Toronto in Peel Region, police Chief Nishan Duraiappah says at least 20 companies have reported receiving an extortion call or message – six of those businesses have been shot at after declining to…