Man charged for allegedly extorting, threating Edmonton business owner

Edmonton police say a 42-year-old man has been charged for allegedly extorting a local business owner and their family.

EPS says on Aug. 27, a store owner contacted police after they received threatening messages via WhatsApp from an unknown number.

The messages detailed the business and the home address of the owner, while also demanding over $100,000, saying that the store owner was being watched and that their family would be harmed if the money wasn’t paid.

Through an investigation, police say they were able to identify 42-year-old Davinder Singh as someone believed to be involved in the matter.

Singh was taken into custody on Sept. 5, and police note that while he was being taken into custody, officers seized two phones. Those phones were later determined to have been used by Singh to impersonate himself and a relative while communicating with the store owner.

Police say Singh has since been charged with extortion.

Report extortion

Edmonton police are also encouraging the public to report any possible extortion incident.

“When you’re receiving threats—especially ones that include personal details or demands for money—it’s natural to feel fear and uncertainty. That’s exactly what these individuals are counting on,” says Staff Sergeant Eric Stewart of the Investigative Response Team.

“We want the public to know that you’re not alone in these situations. If something doesn’t feel right, report it. The sooner we become aware, the more we can do to help and hold those responsible accountable.”

Police are urging the public to “remain vigilant when receiving messages from numbers you do not recognize” and have provided the following tips:

EPS would like to remind the public to remain vigilant when receiving messages from numbers you do not recognize:

• Do not respond to the sender. Engaging can escalate the situation or give the sender more leverage.
• Do not send money, cryptocurrency, or gift cards under any circumstances.
• Take screenshots of all messages, including dates, times and phone numbers.
• Do not delete messages, even if you’ve blocked the number.
• Avoid meeting the individual in person. If a meeting is suggested, contact police immediately.
• Limit personal information online, especially on public business pages or social media, where locations, family details or phone numbers may be accessible.
• Change your privacy settings on apps like WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook to limit who can contact or view your information.
• Report all threats to police, even if you’re unsure if they’re credible. Reporting helps prevent further harm and allows investigators to track emerging patterns or repeat offenders.
• If you feel you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911.

Anyone who believes they may have been targeted in an extortion attempt is asked to contact police at 780-423-4567 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.