Charges in Calgary extortion case targeting South Asian community and daycares
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CALGARY – Police in Calgary have laid charges as part of an ongoing investigation into extortion targeting members and businesses in the South Asian community, including daycares.
A series of escalating incidents happened in March, said Supt. Jeff Bell.
A home in Calgary was shot at, and there was repeated property damage and suspicious activity at daycares outside the city.
“No one was present at the daycares at the time. It happened after-hours,” Bell told a news conference Wednesday.
Police said the cases are believed to be related to ongoing extortion attempts involving intimidation, property damage and shootings connected to demands for money and transferred control of businesses.
A 45-year-old Calgary man is to appear in court next month on charges of extortion and uttering threats.
Police believe there are others involved, Bell added. “This is just the start of our enforcement work.”
Since January 2025, there have been 41 reported extortion attempts in Calgary.
Bell said there may be more, as victims may not have been willing to come forward.
“We feel there’s a couple of different factors that are preventing people from contacting police: fear, fear of retribution, judgment from the community.”
Bell said police are in contact with law enforcement agencies across the country, sharing information about their extortion investigations.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 1, 2026.