What is extortion?

An extortion is when an individual receives a demand for money with a threat of violence or intimidation. We are currently seeing a trend across Canada – including in Surrey – where individuals and businesses in predominantly South Asian communities are receiving threatening demands for money by letters, phone calls, text messages, or social media. 
 

What is SPS doing to tackle extortion threats?

Police agencies across Canada are working together to address these extortions, many of which extend beyond the boundaries of each city.

Surrey Police Service (SPS) has taken the following actions: 

• Launched a Surrey Extortion Tip Line, monitored 7 days a week from 9am - 5pm
• $250,000 Extortion Reward Fund Available from the City of Surrey to individuals with key information about extortions in Surrey.
• Working with partners on a new provincial Extortion Task Force to combat larger multi-jurisdictional extortion cases.
• Launched a dedicated SPS Extortion Investigations Team in Surrey.
• Daily engagement with the RCMP Surrey Provincial Operations Support Unit and other police agencies, as well as contact with the RCMP National Coordination and Support Team.
• Increased patrols and community engagement in targeted areas throughout Surrey.  
   

Surrey Extortion Reward Fund

The Surrey Extortion Reward Fund is a $250,000 fund created by the City of Surrey to aid in the gathering of information of Surrey-related extortions. Those that provide specific information that leads to an arrest and conviction can receive up to $100,000. 

The Surrey Extortion Reward Fund is one of the largest police rewards in Canadian history and it has been put in place to help incentivizes people to come forward with the information they have.
 

What can you do to help combat extortion?

Report possible extortion cases as soon as possible. 

If you or your business receive threatening demands money:

• Call police immediately: 604-599-0502 or 9-1-1 in emergencies (translation services available)
• Do not pay or negotiate with criminals.
• Keep all communications, including voice mails, text messages, or letters.
• Write down any details you remember such as car model, description of criminal, etc.

If you have information as a victim, witness, or as a member of the community please come forward and provide any information that you know. Even small seemingly minor pieces of information could be vital in helping ongoing investigations. You can call the Surrey Extortion Tip Line at 236-485-5149.
 

Surrey Extortion Tip Line

If you have information about an extortion call the Surrey Extortion Tip Line at 236-485-5149. The phoneline is monitored 7 days a week from 9am - 5pm. Language services are available.  

It is important for everyone to understand that this tip line does not replace 911 as the means to alert police to in progress incidents, nor is it for reporting extortions.
 

Reporting an Extortion

If you are a victim of an extortion, report that extortion threat to police immediately. The most effective way to report an extortion is to call the police non-emergency line at 604-599-0502 ( in an emergency please call 9-1-1)

Our Victim Services staff are also available to support victims of extortion and their family members - call 604-599-7600.
 

Helping the police

• You can help police solve extortion cases by reporting suspicious activity that you see in your neighbourhood. Don't delay, report right away.
• Get involved in your local Block Watch. If you aren't sure if you have a Block Watch set up for your area reach out to us at blockwatch@surreypolice.ca
• Check your surveillance systems to see if they work, and sign up your surveillance cameras with Project Iris to help police access important video of the area.