VIDEO: Extortion task force lays over a dozen charges following attacks in Mississauga and Brampton

Yet another arrest has been made following a string of violent extortions across the GTA, including several in Mississauga and Brampton.

The charges come after a 30-year-old suspect was arrested during a raid at a Toronto residence on May 29, Peel Regional Police said in a release.

Investigators say the arrest follows extortion attempts and attacks across the GTA dating back to at least December of last year.

Since then there have been at least 29 extortion-related incidents reported to Peel police, which launched its new Extortion Investigative Task Force in response to what investigators called a “disturbing trend” of South Asian business and community members being targeted.

“We believe that there could be more residents and businesses who may have been contacted,” said Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah. “I urge those business owners and community members to come forward to speak with our Extortion Investigative Task Force. ”

Update on Extortion Investigative Task Force:

Arrest Made by the Extortion Investigative Task Force

Read more: https://t.co/dgXio7biVX@DC_Milinovich @DeputyAndrews @CAOLJackson @DeputyOdoardi @DeputyDapat @patrickbrownont @carolynhparrish pic.twitter.com/UymzcE95yv

— Chief Nishan Duraiappah (@ChiefNish) July 9, 2024

Victims are often contacted through social media or messaging apps, with police saying the extortionists make demands for money while threatening their targets.  In some cases – like a shooting at a Brampton business last year – the demands have escalated to violence.

Police say the threats can be intimidating but urge any potential victims not to agree to the extortionist’s terms and contact local police immediately.

The trend is more than a Mississauga or Brampton problem with more than 70 similar cases reported across three provinces, leading the RCMP to say the attacks and threats could be tied to organized crime groups. The Mounties are also asking anyone with any information about extortion-related incidents to contact investigators.

Last week police announced five arrests tied to “violent extortion incidents in the Region of Peel and the Greater Toronto Area.” And in February, the task announced five arrests with over 20 combined charges laid.

A spokesperson for Peel police has confirmed to Insauga.com that the arrests announced last week were not made by the EITF.

Peel Regional Police say Jaskaran Singh, 30, was arrested in Toronto on May 29 and charged with multiple offences including two counts each of extortion, knowledge of unauthorized possession of weapon and unauthorized possession of a prohibited device, and unauthorized possession of a firearm.

The accused made a court appearance in Brampton and “has since been granted bail and is currently on a court order with conditions,” police said.

Anyone with information or who is a victim of an extortion related offence is asked to contact the Extortion Investigative Task Force by calling 1-866-966-0616 or email [email protected]. You can also contact Peel Crime Stoppers anonymously by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or by visiting www.peelcrimestoppers.ca.