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Stockton Today
By the People, for the People
Indian Gangs Terrorize California Immigrant Community
Extortion, threats, and violence from criminal networks based in India target Sikh residents in California's Central Valley
Apr. 20, 2026 at 1:07am
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As tensions over autonomous vehicles escalate, a recent wave of targeted street vandalism exposes pent-up frustration with driverless technology.Stockton TodayIndian criminal gangs, including the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang, have been extorting and threatening members of the Sikh diaspora community in California's Central Valley. The gangs, based in India, have been making demands for money and issuing threats against victims and their families back home, leading to a wave of violence and fear in the local Sikh community.
Why it matters
The targeting of the Sikh community in California by these transnational criminal networks highlights the vulnerability of immigrant populations with strong ties to their home countries. The combination of wealth, cross-border movement, and tight-knit communities makes them attractive targets for extortion and violence. Law enforcement is struggling to address the issue due to the international nature of the crimes and the reluctance of victims to report incidents out of fear of retaliation.
The details
The extortion tactics used by the gangs involve making phone calls to victims demanding large sums of money, typically between $4,000 and $7,000, and threatening violence or death if the demands are not met. The gangs, which have members across India, the U.S., and Canada, use encrypted messaging apps and cross-border coordination to carry out their criminal activities. When victims refuse to pay, the gangs have arranged for shootings of the victims, their associates, their homes, and their businesses, both in the U.S. and in India.
- In May 2024, the FBI Sacramento field office began warning the Indian community about the extortion attempts.
- In July 2025, 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 December 2023, Lawrence Bishnoi, the leader of the Bishnoi gang, personally contacted an extortion victim via an audio call and turned on his camera to confirm his identity.
The players
Lawrence Bishnoi
The leader of the Bishnoi gang, which is considered India's most wanted criminal organization. Bishnoi is incarcerated in India 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 in Nebraska in November 2024 by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Anmol Bishnoi is alleged to have played a central role in two high-profile homicides in India.
Jasmeet Singh
An Indian national living in the Stockton and Fresno areas who was indicted in December for allegedly making a series of threats to a victim who had relocated to Canada from India.
Harsimran Singh
The president of the American Kabaddi Federation, who faced threats and cancellations from players in his international Kabaddi tournament due to intimidation from Indian gangs.
Naindeep Singh
The executive director of the Jakara Movement, a prominent Sikh advocacy group in California, who says many community members remain silent about the extortion attempts due to fear of retaliation.
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 of 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
“It has had a psychological impact on my life; it has restricted me, and I can't move freely if I have to travel to India.”
— Anonymous Sikh businessman
What’s next
The judge in the case against Jasmeet Singh will decide on his next court date in May.
The takeaway
The targeting of California's Sikh community by transnational criminal gangs from India highlights the vulnerabilities faced by immigrant populations with strong ties to their home countries. Law enforcement is struggling to address the issue due to the international nature of the crimes and the reluctance of victims to report incidents out of fear of retaliation.
