Sacramento, California, USA: Indian-origin man Jasmeet Singh has been formally charged in the United States after allegedly issuing death threats to a Canadian resident believed to be targeted by the Lawrence Bishnoi criminal network. The charges were filed in California, where Singh was residing at the time of the alleged offences.
According to reports, the victim had relocated to Canada after assisting Indian authorities in identifying and arresting two individuals accused of extortion. Despite being based in the US, Singh is accused of repeatedly contacting the victim by phone and issuing violent threats.
Investigators say Singh attempted to prove the seriousness of his threats by sending the victim an image of the victim’s vehicle parked outside their home in Canada, indicating access to personal information and assets. During one of the calls, Singh reportedly warned the victim, saying they would be killed while living in Canada.
The allegations are detailed in a criminal complaint prepared by FBI agent Brian Toy of the Sacramento Field Office, which is currently probing multiple cases linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Bishnoi is known to operate a large organised crime syndicate from inside a prison in India.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation began investigating Singh after receiving information from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), following a formal complaint from the victim. Authorities state that the threatening calls were received in May 2024.
The complaint also outlines the victim’s earlier interactions with individuals allegedly connected to the Bishnoi gang. These dealings reportedly began in July 2022 while the victim was living in India. At that time, the victim was allegedly extorted by two people who threatened to file false rape accusations unless a large sum—estimated at around 239,000 US dollars—was paid.
When the victim refused to comply, Indian police later contacted them regarding the false allegations. The victim cooperated with law enforcement, leading to the arrest of the accused extortionists.
In January 2024, the victim moved to Canada. The suspects involved in the extortion case were officially charged in India in May 2024. Investigators say that on the same day the charges were filed, the victim received multiple threatening calls within a short span of time.
In one conversation, Singh allegedly described the exact make and colour of the victim’s vehicle, further escalating concerns for the victim’s safety. The victim reported the threats to Canadian authorities and expressed fear that returning to India could put their life at risk.
