US EditionCriminal networks using young people from India for extortion schemes, Fintrac warns
Fintrac says more than 100 extortion disclosures this year show gangs using financially vulnerable students to move money and intimidate victims.
- On Thursday, Fintrac published a special bulletin warning financial institutions about extortion targeting South Asian communities, reporting more than 100 intelligence disclosures this year involving over 63,000 financial transactions.
- Threats targeting South Asian communities have evolved into a "sustained campaign of coercion" involving intimidation, opportunistic violence, and arson across British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario, with criminal groups Bishnoi and Bambiha gangs involved.
- Recruitment typically targets "financially vulnerable, young male Indian nationals" aged 17 to 28 on study permits, who process email money transfers, cheques, and cash deposits in volumes inconsistent with their status as international students.
- Victims often face demands for lump sum payments through email money transfers or cash deliveries under duress; addressing such criminal activity "requires early reporting and strong institutional vigilance," Fintrac says.
- Fintrac warns that copycat actors may leverage these crime groups to maximize impact, while stigma and fear prevent victims from seeking help—factors offenders increasingly rely on to maintain influence and avoid detection.
25 Articles
25 Articles
The Canadian Financial Intelligence Agency reports that criminal organizations appear to be using young Indian students to extort money from individuals and businesses from South Asian communities across the country.
Criminal networks are using young people from India for extortion schemes, Fintrac warns
Canada's financial intelligence agency says criminal organizations appear to be using young students from India to help extort people and businesses in South Asian communities across the country.
The Toronto Star
Criminal networks using young people from India for extortion schemes, Fintrac warns
OTTAWA - Canada's financial intelligence agency says criminal organizations appear to be using young students from India to help extort people and businesses in South Asian communities across the country.
BIV News
Western InvestorCanada’s financial regulator flags extortion risks, citing suspicious activity involving some international students from India
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