Immigration consultants serving the Indo-Canadian community in parts of Canada are facing a growing wave of intimidation, with extortion threats and gun violence raising serious concerns about safety and law enforcement response.
In early January, the home of immigration consultant Vikram Sharma was targeted in a late night shooting in Brampton, a suburb within the Greater Toronto Area. According to details shared with local community media, a masked gunman fired multiple rounds at the property around 1.30 am, damaging a vehicle parked outside and the garage of the house.
Shortly after the attack, Sharma reportedly received messages demanding a payment of CA$500,000. The threats warned that failure to comply would put his family at risk. A video allegedly showing the shooting was also sent as part of the intimidation.
Speaking privately after the incident, Sharma said his family had moved to Canada seeking stability and security, only to be confronted with violence they never expected. Following the threats, the family is believed to have left the country just over three years after settling there.
Community members and journalists familiar with the issue say this is not an isolated case. Several immigration agents operating in the suburbs of Toronto and Vancouver have reportedly received similar extortion demands. While not all cases involved gunfire, the pattern of threats has alarmed professionals in the sector.
Additional incidents have been reported in Mississauga, another GTA suburb, and in Surrey, near Vancouver. Some consultants say they have been reluctant to approach authorities, fearing retaliation or doubting whether complaints will offer adequate protection.
Those targeted are said to include both small independent consultants and at least one large immigration firm with offices across Canada. In some cases, businesses have chosen not to formally report threats, citing safety concerns.
The attacks have cast a shadow over a profession that plays a crucial role for newcomers navigating Canada&rsquo;s complex immigration system. For many consultants, the recent violence has forced difficult questions about whether it is safe to continue their work, even in a country long viewed as a haven of law and order.

Indian Immigration Agents Targeted in Canada

Shootings and threats shake Indo-Canadian consultants in Toronto and Vancouver suburbs

Indian Immigration Agents Targeted in Canada

Shootings and threats shake Indo-Canadian consultants in Toronto and Vancouver suburbs

January 12, 2026 | 21:57 IST