Extortion threats decline in Surrey in early 2026, says police chief
Police said the number of extortion threats have dropped from 44 in January to 14 in March
By Cheryl Chan
Last updated 4 hours ago
You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.
Extortion threats in Surrey are showing signs of easing this year, with police reporting a significant drop in incidents following last year’s spike.
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
- Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.
- Get exclusive access to the Vancouver Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.
- Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.
- Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.
- Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
- Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.
- Get exclusive access to the Vancouver Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.
- Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.
- Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.
- Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
- Access articles from across Canada with one account.
- Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
- Enjoy additional articles per month.
- Get email updates from your favourite authors.
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
- Access articles from across Canada with one account
- Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments
- Enjoy additional articles per month
- Get email updates from your favourite authors
Sign In or Create an Account
Surrey Police Chief Const. Norm Lipinski said there has been a “meaningful decline” in extortion threats and extortion-related shots fired incidents in the first quarter of the 2026.
tap here to see other videos from our team.
Extortion threats decline in Surrey in early 2026, says police chief Back to video
tap here to see other videos from our team.
Extortion threats have dropped from 44 in January to 17 in February and 14 in March, he said in a video posted on X on Friday, while shots-fired incidents have gone from 10 in January to one in February and three in March.
“While this trend is encouraging, I want to be clear: Any threat against a business owner or resident is deeply concerning,” said Lipinski.
Extortion threats targeting South Asian business owners and residents have been a concern, but incidents surged in 2024 and 2025, heightening fear among the community and prompting responses from political leaders and police.
Surrey police continue to dedicate front-line officers and investigators to extortion cases, said Lipinski — including Project Assurance, an initiative where officers patrol neighbourhoods and business areas targeted by extortions, and working with the B.C. Extortion task force, which launched last September.
In previous updates, Lipinski said police are reaching out to people vulnerable to being recruited into committing extortion crimes, including international students at post-secondary institutions. He also said police’s tactic of releasing photos of extortion suspects could be a factor in the decline.
The City of Surrey has also offered a $250,000 reward to encourage the public to come forward with information.
The Canada Border Services Agency, which is working with the B.C. extortion task force and other authorities, said as of March 12, it investigated 372 cases related to suspected extortionists, issued 70 removal orders, and deported 35 people.
