rcmp link white rock shooting to extortion scheme targeting b.c. businesses
south asian business owners from surrey and abbotsford are calling on police to do more to stop the scheme that some fear will lead to violence.
dec 8 2023
3 minute read
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the rcmp have linked a white rock shooting to a series of extortion attempts threatening businesses across the lower mainland.
“police acknowledge that the threats circulating to businesses including a recent incident that involved shots being fired at a home in white rock are deeply concerning,” said a news release issued by the b.c. rcmp.
at a town-hall meeting earlier this week, south asian business owners from surrey and abbotsford said they wanted police to do more to stop extortion attempts that some feared would lead to violence.
b.c. conservative leader john rustad said he attended a meeting with about 50 business owners monday, where they voiced concerns about gangs asking for money in exchange for protection from violence.
police in both cities initially refused to link a series of shootings outside homes in surrey and abbotsford to an extortion scheme targeting local businesses.
but on thursday afternoon, the b.c. rcmp issued a news release saying the rcmp and the abbotsford police department believe the extortion threats impacting businesses across the region may be “linked” and police are working together to investigate them.
the news release also acknowledged the threats included shots fired outside a home in white rock. it didn’t mention any other recent shootings where shots were fired outside a home.
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early monday, white rock rcmp responded to 911 calls about shots fired in the area of marine drive and terry road. no one was injured, but police said they believe the incident was targeted.
postmedia news reached out to two business owners impacted by the threats but one had temporarily left the country and the other declined to talk to the media.
surrey journalist gurpreet singh sahota said he estimates more than 100 businesses in surrey and abbotsford have been the subject of an extortion attempt in recent weeks, with many, but not all, aimed at south asian businesses. some received a letter, while others got a threatening phone call, demanding payment in 24 to 48 hours.
sahota said many recipients have gone to the police with their concerns, and some, including several gold jewellers, have invited police to speak to their staff about security protocols.
he said he would like to see greater transparency from police and government.
“they need to share information with the public and their plan to tackle this,” he said.
b.c. united party mla elenore sturko, a former police officer, said police must determine if the letters are legitimate or a scam.
“people would be afraid nonetheless,” she said. “it plays into fears … so it’s very disturbing to see the south asian community targeted in this way.”
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police could have released more information to stop the speculation, said the mla for surrey south, but without knowing the details of the case, there may have been a reason to hold back information for safety reasons.
“i deeply feel for the people receiving this letter, particularly because it references violence,” she said.
b.c. conservative party leader john rustad speaks to members of the media in victoria on dec. 6.
chad hipolito
/
the canadian press
rustad said business owners he’s spoken to want to see more action from police. some are worried for their families, in addition to their businesses and customers.
“they would like to see the gang task force focused on going after these people,” he said earlier.
surrey centre mp randeep sarai expressed confidence in the police, saying the “recklessness” of those behind the scheme would lead to them being caught.
“it’s concerning, regardless,” he said when asked about reports that the situation may have links to gangs operating in india. “it doesn’t matter if it’s coming from abroad or locally.”
he said some in the diaspora community might be reluctant to talk to police, but it’s important to bring the situation to light.
“i think most people have been telling. i don’t know of any that have paid,” he said.
rcmp encouraged anyone who is threatened to call their local police department. they asked people not to engage with the suspect or send money.
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abbotsford police previously said the letters requested money in exchange for “protection from future violence.” the generic letters didn’t include business names or indicate a method of payment, contact, or communication, according to a news release. while they referenced “recent reported events” in abbotsford, police said no connection had been confirmed at that time.
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