Indian Gangs Target California's Sikh Community with Extortion and Violence

Criminal networks with roots in India threaten Sikh businesses and families across the state

Apr. 20, 2026 at 12:37am

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Criminal Indian gangs, including the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang, are increasingly targeting California's large Sikh population through extortion, threats, and violence. The gangs, based in India's northern and western states, are taking advantage of the Sikh diaspora's wealth, cross-border ties, and reluctance to involve law enforcement to demand payments and carry out attacks on relatives and businesses both in the U.S. and India.

Why it matters

The targeting of California's Sikh community by these criminal Indian gangs highlights the vulnerabilities faced by immigrant communities with strong ties to their home countries. The threats, extortion, and violence have created a climate of fear and undermine the sense of safety and security for Sikh residents.

The details

The gangs, including the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, which the FBI describes as India's most wanted criminal organization, use encrypted messaging apps and cross-border coordination to threaten victims. They start with demands of $4,000 to $7,000, figuring victims will pay to protect their families and businesses in both countries. If victims refuse, the gangs arrange for shootings of the victims, their associates, their homes, and their businesses in India. Two homicides in California have been linked to the Bishnoi gang.

  • In 2024, the FBI's Sacramento field office began notifying members of the Central Valley's Indian community to report these types of shakedowns.
  • In July 2022, the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office arrested eight alleged members of a gang led by Pavittar Preet Singh, who faces charges in India related to firearms violations, assaults, and homicides.
  • In November 2024, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested Anmol Bishnoi, the younger brother of Lawrence Bishnoi, in Nebraska.
  • In January 2023, Indian authorities announced the arrest of four suspects believed responsible for two killings of suspected Bishnoi gang members in Stockton and Fresno.
  • In April 2025, FBI Director Kash Patel announced the arrest of Harpeet Singh, whom he described as an alleged terrorist responsible for attacks in Punjab and linked to two international terrorist groups.

The players

Lawrence Bishnoi

Leader of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, also known as the Bishnoi gang, which the FBI describes as India's most wanted criminal organization. He is currently incarcerated in an Indian prison but continues to direct the gang's global network of extortion and targeted killings using encrypted messaging apps and cross-border coordination.

Anmol Bishnoi

The younger brother of Lawrence Bishnoi, who was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Nebraska in November 2024. Indian authorities believe he was heavily involved in two of India's 'most sensational homicides'.

Harpeet Singh

An alleged terrorist responsible for attacks in Punjab, India, who is also linked to two international terrorist groups. He was arrested by the FBI's Sacramento Field Office in April 2025.

Pavittar Preet Singh

The leader of a gang that was targeted in a July 2022 arrest by the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office. He faces charges in India related to firearms violations, assaults, and homicides.

Harsimran Singh

The president of the American Kabaddi Federation, who organized a kabaddi tournament that was threatened by criminal Indian gangs, prompting athletes to drop out due to safety concerns.

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What they’re saying

“The players were very afraid; if they got a call, they didn't want to go against gangsters. They were unwilling to play because they didn't want to compromise their own safety and their family's security.”

— Harsimran Singh, President, American Kabaddi Federation

“Most of them have an international type link to them, where it stretches back to India because the threats are being made to family members and businesses back there.”

— Patrick Withrow, San Joaquin County Sheriff

“They usually start with amounts between $4,000 and $7,000; they figure that's a range that somebody might pay and still not contact the police. The victim families sometimes paid, with a calculation that a single payment would protect their family and business in India and the United States as well.”

— Patrick Withrow, San Joaquin County Sheriff

What’s next

Law enforcement authorities in California continue to investigate the homicides linked to the Bishnoi gang and work to disrupt the criminal network's activities targeting the Sikh community.

The takeaway

The targeting of California's Sikh community by criminal Indian gangs highlights the vulnerabilities faced by immigrant communities with strong ties to their home countries. The threats, extortion, and violence have created a climate of fear and undermine the sense of safety and security for Sikh residents, requiring a coordinated law enforcement response across international borders.