Extortion calls made in the name of notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi are causing fear and anxiety among Punjabis living in Surrey, British Columbia. The overseas community, particularly those of Punjabi origin, has been targeted with threats demanding money, leaving many on edge.
On September 15, Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke announced a $250,000 reward for information related to these extortion cases. The Surrey Police revealed that they are investigating 44 incidents, with 37 involving the use of shotguns. While authorities often refer to the affected group as “South Asians,” interviews with local social and media representatives indicate that Punjabis are the most impacted. Surrey alone has over 225,000 residents of Punjabi origin out of a total population of around 700,000.
Local figures have voiced their concerns about the rising threats. Talk show host Harjinder Thind noted that extortion has become a serious issue for Punjabis, prompting calls for stronger government protection. Businessmen, speaking anonymously, shared instances of luxury car owners receiving ransom calls, sometimes accompanied by shootings. Some victims have even moved out of the city to ensure safety.
High-profile incidents include two shooting attacks at a Surrey outlet associated with comedian Kapil Sharma, reportedly linked to Bishnoi’s name. Famous Punjabi singers like Karan Aujla and Gippy Grewal have also received extortion threats in the past.
In response, Abbotsford in Fraser Valley has formed a special task force to address threats targeting the South Asian community. The Surrey Police Service continues to coordinate with law enforcement agencies nationwide to tackle multi-jurisdictional extortion networks. Authorities stressed that these investigations remain a top priority, with evidence guiding the identification of criminal groups behind the threats.
