Indian National Arrested in California Over Threats to Canadian Victim

A man accused of involvement in an extortion case in British Columbia has been arrested in California, U.S. authorities confirm. Jasmeet Singh, a 30-year-old Indian national, is alleged to have made threatening phone calls to a resident in Langley, B.C., prompting an international investigation.

Canadian authorities initially began probing Singh after reports that he had targeted the victim with intimidating messages. According to law enforcement sources, Singh allegedly issued threats of violence due to the victim’s prior cooperation with Indian law enforcement. He reportedly demonstrated a detailed knowledge of the victim’s daily routines, even identifying personal habits such as the type of coffee they drank. Singh also allegedly sent the victim a photo of their car parked outside their residence, further amplifying the threat and creating a climate of fear.

Investigators from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) tracked Singh’s movements and identified that he was in Fresno, California. Canadian officials subsequently coordinated with U.S. law enforcement agencies to pursue the case. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) became involved, facilitating legal processes across borders. A federal grand jury in California formally indicted Singh on charges of transmitting threats to injure a person.

Authorities emphasize that Singh’s arrest may have broader implications, as investigators work to establish whether he is connected to other ongoing extortion investigations in Canada. The South Asian community in the country has been increasingly targeted in a series of extortion attempts, some of which have been linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi crime group based in India. These groups are believed to employ intimidation tactics against members of the community for financial gain.

Singh is currently being held in custody in the United States while awaiting trial. If convicted, he faces a maximum prison sentence of five years, alongside a potential fine of $250,000. Law enforcement officials stress that such international cooperation between Canadian and U.S. authorities is crucial in tackling cross-border criminal activities, particularly in cases involving organized extortion schemes targeting specific communities.

Authorities continue to urge residents to report any suspicious threats and maintain vigilance, highlighting the importance of community awareness in preventing criminal exploitation. This case underscores the growing challenge of transnational extortion and the need for robust collaboration between international law enforcement agencies.