A new analysis of extortion cases across Canada by the federal government’s money laundering watchdog confirmed Indian nationals on international student visas play a key role while the possibility of copycat actors emerge.

In a special bulletin posted online Thursday, April 23, the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada, or Fintrac, also warned local financial institutions, such as those in Surrey, of transnational money laundering tactics extortionists have used or may use.

“These groups appear to recruit or rely on individuals already living in Canada to act as financial intermediaries (‘money mules’), enforcers, or ‘foot soldiers,’ typically financially vulnerable, young male Indian nationals in Canada on study permits,” the bulletin stated.

One identified method used by the extortionists is to utilize money service businesses (MSB) to transfer money to or from banks and other MSBs in India (Haryana or Punjab), the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and “possibly” Portugal or Kenya.

Fintrac is asking local institutions, such as casinos, banks and credit unions, to identify transactions that may be out of place for an international student.

“The customers who are international students may pay for lodging [hotels or short-term rentals], travel booking services, gas or petrol, and fast food in locations subject to extortion activities targeting the local South Asian community and potentially far from the customer’s post secondary institution and without persistent prior financial links to those areas,” Fintrac said.

Fintrac’s analysis claimed “multiple crime groups appear” to be involved in the crimes, including the rival Bishnoi and Bambiha gangs of northern India.

Victims tend to be small businesses and prominent community and cultural leaders in the South Asian diasporas.

The Bishnoi Gang was labelled a terrorist entity in September 2015. Fintrac oversees the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act, tracking financial transactions for trends.

Fintrac stated: “The possibility of ‘copycat’ actors leveraging the weight associated with these crime groups to maximize their own impact.”

Fintrac added the media reports and data “suggests” that victims negotiate large demands for smaller one-time or re-occurring payment plans and have liquidated assets or moved capital abroad.

The regulator said: “[This] disrupts local economic activity and interferes with the visibility of funds that might otherwise assist investigative tracing.”

Operation Tapex (Timely Analysis of Proceeds from Extortion) is Fintrac’s initiative to support analysis related to proceeds generated by criminals extorting South Asian diaspora communities, the bulletin states.

Such transnational extortion cases exploded in 2025.

Last year Surrey experienced 133 reported cases of extortion to Surrey Police Service, including 49 incidents of gunfire.

In 2024 there were only nine such cases.

This year to April 20, Surrey Police Service has reported 87 cases, including 15 incidents of gunfire.

There have been 134 victims, according to police.

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