For Indian and Punjabi artists living abroad, Canada is turning into not only a large market but also a place that causes fear and apprehension. Recently, information appeared on social media that after a concert by Punjabi singer and actor Ami Vork, a vehicle from his convoy was shot at in Abbotsford, British Columbia.
Although Ami Vork's father denied that the attack was aimed at the singer or his car, and the police are continuing the investigation, this incident has once again demonstrated how the Punjabi entertainment industry is falling into the vortex of international criminal networks and extortion.
According to reports, on September 5, an attack occurred on a vehicle following Ami Vork after his performance in Abbotsford. Witnesses and local reports claim that about seven shots were fired, although there is no official confirmation from the police yet. Police stated that no one was injured. Despite the singer's family denying that the attack was directly on Ami Vork, this case has baffled local police and Canadian authorities.
Ami Vork is not the first artist to face such frightening situations in Canada. As early as November 2023, a shooting took place near the home of famous actor and singer Hippie Gravel in West Vancouver, for which a social media account linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang allegedly took responsibility. Then, in September 2024, shots were fired and cars were set on fire near AP Dhillon's home in Coquitlam, British Columbia. This series of events did not stop: in February 2025, the Canadian asylum residence of singer Prem Dhillon became a target, receiving online threats mentioning Sidhu Moosewala.
This alarming trend affects not only stars but also businessmen. In 2025, the 'Caps Cafe' in Surrey, owned by comedian Kapil Sharma, was attacked twice. The first attack occurred on July 10 when the cafe was shot at in the presence of staff. A month later, on August 7, the cafe was attacked with firearms again. These repeated incidents highlight how serious a problem the safety of Indian celebrities and their businesses has become in Canada.
The Canadian Financial Intelligence Agency (FINTRAC) indicated in its 2026 report that extortion and racketeering against people of South Asian descent have become a serious and organized crime in the country. The most affected provinces are British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario. The situation has escalated to the point where the Royal Canadian Mounted Police created the 'British Columbia Extortion Task Force' in 2025. Agencies believe that many local small gangs are sowing fear using the names of gangs such as Bishnoi and Bambiha.
Furthermore, there is a large number of members of the Punjabi and South Asian communities residing in Canada, creating a huge market for Punjabi music and artists. Artists who come to perform in British Columbia and Ontario always attract attention. However, this immense popularity is now turning into a problem for them. Organized crime networks are trying to use the large fan base and financial success of these artists as a means of obtaining ransom.
According to the 'India Times' report, criminal gangs of Punjabi-Canadian origin are forming within the local community, mainly consisting of young people of Punjabi descent.
Canadian police and security services are currently investigating not only individual shootings but the entire criminal network behind them. In the recent case involving Ami Vork, the main question is whether these attacks are linked to previously investigated organized crime syndicates or if they are the actions of local hooligans. Security services are currently closely monitoring all aspects to control this atmosphere of fear in a timely manner.
