A man of Indian origin, who moved to Canada just three years ago, is living in fear after a brazen extortion attempt that saw his family home in Brampton sprayed with bullets. The consultant, who runs an immigration and education advisory firm, was inside with his wife and young child when at least eight shots were fired at his property last weekend.
A Terrifying Sequence of Events
The nightmare began with the sound of gunfire. Bullets struck vehicles parked in the driveway and slammed into the garage door of the home located near Sandalwood Parkway and Creditview Road. A neighbour's security camera captured the shocking incident. The very next day, the traumatised businessman received a chilling video on his phone, showing a recording of the shooting apparently made from inside a car.
"First, they sent me the video and then they called me," the man, who chose to remain anonymous, recounted. The callers demanded a staggering half a million dollars and gave him just one day to arrange the money. When he pleaded that he did not have such an amount, the extortionists issued a deadly threat: "We will kill your family."
Police Investigation and a Community on Edge
The victim has filed a formal complaint with the Peel Regional Police. While the police confirmed the investigation, they have not released any suspect information yet. The case is now being handled by the recently formed Extortion Investigations Task Force, launched in 2024 specifically to address the surge in extortion cases targeting the South Asian business community.
This modus operandi is sadly not new to the region. Police records indicate over 400 extortion cases were reported last year alone. The alarming trend has prompted local leaders to seek federal intervention. Last month, Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown wrote to the federal government, warning of the "escalating threat of extortion and transnational organised crime."
Brown emphasised that without federal support, communities like Brampton remain exposed to criminal networks that operate across borders, use digital platforms, and rely on intimidation to silence their victims.
Life Upended, Future Uncertain
For the victim, life has been irrevocably changed. Fearing for his family's safety, he has abandoned his Brampton home and vows never to return to that address. He told media he has no idea why he was targeted, leaving him and his family in a state of perpetual anxiety.
The incident highlights the grave challenges faced by immigrants and business owners, underscoring the urgent need for effective law enforcement strategies to combat organised extortion rings that prey on hard-working families.
