A California man has been charged by U.S. authorities for allegedly issuing death threats to a victim living in Canada as part of a cross-border extortion scheme linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
According to court documents obtained by CBC News, Jasmeet Singh is accused of repeatedly threatening a victim who relocated to Canada after assisting Indian police in identifying alleged blackmailers. Prosecutors say Singh sent messages warning the victim, “You’re going to die in Canada,” and shared a photo of the victim’s vehicle parked outside their home to demonstrate the gang’s reach.
The criminal complaint, filed in U.S. District Court in California, alleges Singh acted on behalf of the Bishnoi gang, a transnational criminal organization Canada designated a terrorist entity in September for its role in extortion, violence and intimidation.
Investigators say the victim contacted the RCMP after receiving the threats, prompting a joint investigation with the FBI. Although Singh allegedly claimed to be calling from the United States, authorities believe the photo of the vehicle shows he had associates in Canada capable of tracking the victim.
Singh, who entered the U.S. in 2023, is currently in custody and awaiting indictment. If convicted of interstate communication of threats, he faces up to 10 years in prison. The allegations have not yet been proven in court.