WhatsApp extortion in Calgary: Woman gets threats, then gunman fires at her home; 3 charged
Calgary police have charged two adults and a 17-year-old boy in connection with an extortion case in which a woman was allegedly threatened through WhatsApp before a gun was fired at her home.The Calgary Police Service said the investigation began on March 25, when the woman started receiving unsolicited WhatsApp text and voice messages from an unknown sender demanding money.According to police, the people behind the messages appeared to have detailed knowledge of the woman’s personal and business affairs. They knew her full name, home address, business information and details about her family members.The caller repeatedly tried to contact the woman and made explicit threats of violence, police said.About 12 hours after the messages were sent, an unidentified person fired a gun at the woman’s residence before fleeing in a vehicle.Police did not report any injuries in the shooting.Investigators then began collecting physical and digital evidence, including security-camera footage from the area. The investigation helped police identify a vehicle believed to have been involved as well as several possible suspects.A 17-year-old boy was arrested on July 29 over his alleged role in facilitating communication between the victim and the people making the threats. He was charged with one count of extortion and has since been released from custody.The boy cannot be identified because of provisions under Canada’s Youth Criminal Justice Act.As the investigation continued, police arrested a woman in Chestermere, Alberta, on September 8.Police alleged the woman provided personal information about the victim that helped the other suspects identify, locate and intimidate the woman and her family.The woman, identified as Kanureet Kaur, 23, of Chestermere, has been charged with one count of extortion. She has been released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court on October 6.Police are also looking for another suspect, Tanveer Singh, 21, of Calgary, in connection with the case.Singh is wanted on a warrant for possession of stolen property over $5,000. Police say the warrant relates to a stolen vehicle allegedly used during the shooting.Singh is described as about 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing approximately 130 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes.Police have released information about Singh as they seek help from the public in locating him.Calgary police also released photographs of Kaur and Singh as part of efforts to advance other extortion-related investigations.Investigators believed people involved in these cases may be known in the community by different names. Police also said members of the public may have encountered the suspects in other circumstances without knowing their identities.“While these charges are an important step, this investigation is far from over,” said Supt Jeff Bell of the Calgary Police Service’s Criminal Operations and Intelligence Division.“We continue to ask the public to help us identify everyone involved so we can hold offenders accountable for the fear and harm these crimes have caused,” Bell said.The latest case is part of a wider series of extortion incidents that Calgary police have been investigating, many of which have involved members of the city’s South Asian community. Police said there have been 51 extortion-related incidents in Calgary since April 2025.Of those, 19 shootings have been linked to the series, involving both people targeted by extortion and suspects, according to police.Calgary police continue to gather information about extortion attempts and related incidents across the city.Police have urged anyone who has information about the latest case, the suspects or other extortion incidents to contact investigators. Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers. Police have also issued a warning to people who receive extortion demands: Do not pay and do not comply with the demands. Contact police immediately.
