The Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) has issued a critical special bulletin detailing a sustained campaign of coercion typically involving “financially vulnerable, young male, Indian nationals in Canada on study permits who are being used as foot soldiers by gangs for targeted violence” against South Asian diaspora communities across Canada.This report highlights a significant escalation in criminal activity, including extortion, shootings and arson, primarily concentrated in the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario.FINTRAC identifies the Bishnoi gang and the rival Bambiha gang as primary drivers of this violence, noting that the Government of Canada officially designated the Bishnoi gang as a listed terrorist entity on September 29, 2025.The bulletin further warns that copycat actors and smaller criminal elements are leveraging the fearsome reputation of these major gangs to maximise the impact of their own extortion demands. New analysis also indicates that criminal networks are increasingly recruiting vulnerable young Indian nationals on study permits to act as money mules or foot soldiers.The report reads, “Callers demanding money may identify themselves as part of the Lawrence Bishnoi network, a gang designated as a terrorist organization in Canada, with victims describing threats, shootings, and persistent attempts to collect large payments. 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.”According to strategic intelligence produced under the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act, extortion attempts have evolved from sporadic incidents into highly coordinated operations targeting small and medium-sized businesses in sectors such as construction, real estate, and hospitality.The federal government stated in a release that extortion is a rising threat to the safety of Canadians, impacting an increasing number of families and businesses with demands ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars.Intelligence findings suggest a blend of local actors and foreign nationals, specifically loosely organized networks with links to overseas crime syndicates.FINTRAC has already generated over 100 financial intelligence disclosures related to extortion in early 2026, a figure that surpasses the combined totals of 2024 and 2025. Investigations have flagged more than 63,000 transactions involving 300 subjects, revealing money laundering methods such as large cash deposits via ATMs, heavy layering through email money transfers, and cross-border transfers to India, the UAE, and the UK.The authorities have asked people to share information pertaining to the business, property owned or controlled by a listed terrorist group like the Bishnoi Gang, they must immediately submit a Suspicious Transaction Report to FINTRAC and disclose property holdings as required under the Criminal Code.Financial institutions are also urged to monitor for high-risk indicators, particularly transactions by individuals whose financial activity is inconsistent with their stated status as international students.