A large international extortion gang targeting the South Asian community has been busted in Canada. Peel Regional Police has arrested 17 people in a major action against the criminal network named For Brothers. All the arrested people are youth hailing from Punjab and some of them may be sent out of the country.
Police say that this gang used to extort money from South Asian businessmen living in Canada and America by threatening them. If any businessman refused to pay the money, incidents like firing and arson were carried out at his house, shop or business establishment. According to the police, this gang was especially active in the areas of Brampton, Mississauga, Caledon and British Columbia. Even the investigating agencies have found its wires till California, America.
The operation was made last year
A large number of people of Indian and Punjabi origin live in these areas of Canada, whom these gangs have been continuously targeting. The investigation of this case started last year in December 2025. For this, a joint force operation was also formed, in which Ontario Provincial Police, Canada Border Services Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Canada’s financial agency FINTRAC were also involved.
Investigation revealed that the gang used to threaten restaurant owners, trucking companies and small businessmen through phone calls, social media and messages. In many cases, huge amount of money was also demanded from these people.
Have been involved in many violent incidents
Police said that the accused carried out several violent incidents to spread fear among the people. In one incident, shots were fired at a home in Caledon, then a few minutes later shots were fired at a business in Brampton. According to the investigating agencies, the 17 arrested accused have been found linked to a total of 24 incidents. Of these, 16 violent incidents are directly linked to the Four Brothers Network. These incidents also include several incidents of firing and arson, in which a total of 324 rounds of bullets were fired.
In April 2026, the police conducted simultaneous raids at several places, after which 17 people were arrested. The arrested accused include Iqbal Singh Bhagaria, Ravinder Singh, Akashdeep Singh, Dilawarpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh, Jashanbir Singh, Prabhdeep Sohal, Ajaydeep Singh, Pratapbir Ghuman, Navrop Singh, Rajan Singh, Amritjot Singh, Jashanpreet Singh, Guneet Guneet, Sukhwinder Singh, Mohinder Singh and California resident Gautam Gautam. Cases have been registered against all of them under a total of 106 criminal sections.
During the investigation, the police also recovered 6 weapons, illegal drugs, several mobile phones, SIM cards and fake identity cards. Police believe that this network was not limited to just extortion but was also involved in organized crime and other illegal activities.
Canada Border Services Agency said that action has also been initiated against some of the arrested accused under immigration rules. 6 people may face deportation proceedings from Canada. According to the agency, by May 2026, 446 immigration investigations have been initiated in cases related to extortion and organized crime. Deportation orders have been issued against 118 people, while 55 people have been removed from Canada so far.
Nishan Duraiappah said that this action was possible with the cooperation of agencies of different countries. He said that this network of extortion was not limited to just one area but was spread internationally. Erin OGorman said that the Canadian government is taking strict action against such criminals and if necessary, they will also be deported from the country.
Police say that the investigation is still going on and more arrests may be made in the coming days. Officials have appealed to the people that if anyone has information related to extortion or threats, they should immediately contact the police.
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