An Indian-origin individual has been formally charged in California, United States, for allegedly issuing death threats to a man now residing in Canada. The target is believed to be a victim of extortion attempts linked to the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi criminal syndicate.
The Transnational Threat and FBI Involvement
The case came to light after the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) approached the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) with a complaint from the victim. According to an FBI complaint filed by agent Brian Toy from the Sacramento office, the victim received a series of threatening phone calls in May 2024. The caller was identified as Jasmeet Singh, who was based in the US at the time.
To prove his threats were serious, Singh sent the victim a photograph of the victim's own car—a white Range Rover—parked in front of his residence in Canada. "Do you not roam around in a white Range Rover over there?" Singh asked, demonstrating he had access to the victim's assets and location. He explicitly told the victim, "You are going to die in Canada."
Roots of the Conflict in India
The FBI complaint outlines that the victim's troubles began in India. The dealings with the Bishnoi gang reportedly date back to July 2022. The victim befriended a woman and her associate, who later attempted to blackmail him by threatening to make rape allegations unless he paid them the equivalent of $239,000 US.
When the victim refused to pay, he received a phone call from local police in India regarding the fabricated rape allegations. However, the victim cooperated with Indian law enforcement, which led to the identification and arrest of the two suspected blackmailers. Following this, fearing for his safety, the victim relocated to Canada in January 2024.
Escalation and Legal Action
The situation escalated dramatically in May 2024. On the very same day the alleged blackmailers were formally charged in India, the victim in Canada received multiple threats within a span of two hours. The victim reported these fresh threats to the RCMP, expressing fear that he would be killed if he ever returned to India.
The FBI's investigation is part of a broader probe into a number of criminal activities connected to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Notably, Bishnoi continues to operate his extensive criminal network from inside a prison in India. The case highlights the transnational reach of such gangs and the collaborative efforts of international law enforcement agencies like the FBI and RCMP to protect victims across borders.
