Vancouver: A wave of extortion threats targeting Punjabi business owners has begun affecting builders in Vancouver, raising alarm within the local South Asian community and prompting some developers to slow construction work or conceal their public profiles.
The issue, which earlier surfaced in Surrey and Brampton, has now reached Vancouver, where builders say they are receiving threatening calls demanding large sums of money. Several developers have reportedly removed project signs and limited their online visibility in an attempt to avoid becoming targets.
According to reports by OMNI News, many Punjabi builders fear that publicly available project information could make them vulnerable to criminal groups seeking extortion payments.
Builders seek protection
Some developers have urged authorities to restrict public access to contact details and project records listed on municipal websites. They argue that transparency policies, while intended to ensure accountability, have unintentionally created an easy database for criminals.
Builders said that details such as names, phone numbers and project locations can be accessed by anyone through public records, making it easier for extortionists to identify potential targets.
The threats have had a direct impact on construction activity in the city, with some builders delaying or cancelling projects despite Vancouver’s ongoing housing shortage.
Police investigations underway
The Vancouver Police Department has confirmed that at least four extortion-related investigations are currently underway in the city. However, officials believe the real number of victims could be higher, as some individuals may not have reported the threats.
Police have urged affected business owners to contact authorities rather than dealing with the situation on their own.
Crisis spreading across Canadian cities
The extortion problem first gained widespread attention in Surrey, where police recorded more than 130 attempts in 2025 alone. Several of those cases reportedly involved gunfire targeting homes, businesses and vehicles.
The crisis has also affected the Peel region around Brampton, where authorities have been dealing with hundreds of extortion complaints annually in recent years.
Some of these incidents have involved violence such as shootings, arson and intimidation, forcing a few families to leave Canada out of fear for their safety.
Officials warn that silence from victims can encourage criminal networks to expand their operations, urging anyone facing threats to come forward so that investigations can proceed.
