Extortion is a rising concern in British Columbia, with business owners and community members increasingly targeted. Criminals use threats of violence—including shootings and arson—to demand money, leaving victims feeling powerless and afraid.
This is not just a personal issue. These crimes affect entire communities, putting businesses, families, and livelihoods at risk. Some businesses have lost millions to extortionists, and fear prevents many from reporting these crimes.
Reporting is the most important step in stopping extortion
and keeping yourself and your community safe.
How It Works
Victims are contacted through letters, online messages, texts, calls, or in-person
confrontations.
Threats include violence, arson, and shootings to force payment.
Paying once doesn’t stop demands—they often escalate and become recurring.
Fear keeps victims silent, allowing criminals to continue their schemes.
Extortion harms not just businesses and individuals, but entire families and
communities.
Extortion can fund organized crime, often linked to gangs.
But you are not alone. Help is available.
You can take steps to help yourself, your loved ones, and your business.
Be aware – Recognize the signs of extortion attempts.
You are not alone – Support is available.
Do not engage – Do not respond or comply with demands.
Report threats immediately – Contact police without delay.
Speaking up can make a difference. If you or someone you know is being targeted, take
action now.
Contact your local police – Report threats and incidents directly.
Remain anonymous – Call Crime Stoppers for a safe, confidential way to report.
Crime Stoppers Hotline: 1 (800) 222-8477
Crime Stoppers Website: bccrimestoppers.com
By providing information that Crime Stoppers will share with law enforcement agencies, you are providing an important and valuable public service. We fully understand that disclosure of your identity might put you at risk and we do everything we can to protect your anonymity. However, that anonymity may be open to challenge in the following situations:
A call to Crime Stoppers made with the intention of furthering criminal activity or interfering with the administration of justice.
A party who is guilty of a crime cannot use Crime Stoppers to try to divert the blame onto someone else. Crime Stoppers cannot be used to try to “frame” an innocent person.There is evidence that disclosure of some or all of a tip is necessary to establish someone’s innocence.
Do not send any sexually explicit images or videos because they will be forwarded directly to law enforcement and the sender’s anonymity cannot be assured. These will not be treated as a Crime Stoppers tip and will not be eligible for a reward.
