Lawrence Bishnoi gang threat letter surfaces in Canada: What the letter claims

PTC Web Desk:  An alleged threat letter bearing the name of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang has surfaced in Canada, bringing renewed attention to Indian-linked criminal networks operating in the country.

According to local media reports, the letter was sent to the Abbotsford Police Department in British Columbia in 2025. A copy was later obtained by Canadian media through access-to-information documents. It was included in records related to an Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) hearing involving an alleged Bishnoi aide who was ordered to leave Canada in July.

The letter reportedly carried the words “Lawrence gang from India” and made several claims about the gang's presence and influence in Canada. However, the document's authenticity has not been independently verified.

Letter claimed thousands of members

The reported letter was written in poor English and contained several spelling mistakes and limited punctuation. According to reports, it claimed that the gang had more than 5,000 members in Canada.

It also allegedly threatened Canadian authorities, claiming the group could arrange shootings for money and had more weapons than the police. The letter reportedly warned that the gang would eventually “rule” Canada.

There is no independent evidence establishing the claims about the gang's membership or weapons. The figures mentioned in the letter should therefore not be treated as verified estimates of the network's actual strength.

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Similar letter mentioned during deportation hearing

A reference to a similar letter had already emerged during a deportation hearing in May 2026.

An Abbotsford police officer reportedly told the hearing that a letter linked to the Bishnoi gang claimed more than 1,000 people were available to carry out shootings. Police also confirmed at the time that they had received such a letter.

The copy that has now surfaced reportedly gives a different figure of 5,000 members. The discrepancy between the two documents further underlines the need for caution in interpreting the numbers as evidence of the gang's actual membership.

FINTRAC report highlights extortion and targeted violence

The development comes amid concerns among Canadian authorities over extortion and targeted violence affecting parts of the South Asian community.

In a special report released in April 2026, Canada's financial intelligence agency FINTRAC said several criminal networks, including the Bishnoi gang, were operating in Canada. The report said some networks had used local individuals as financial intermediaries, enforcers or “foot soldiers”.

FINTRAC also noted that smaller groups and so-called copycat criminals may use the names and reputation of established gangs to make extortion threats more effective. As a result, authorities cautioned against automatically attributing every threat or criminal incident to the Bishnoi gang.

Canada lists Bishnoi gang as terrorist entity

The Canadian government designated the Lawrence Bishnoi gang as a terrorist entity under Canada's Criminal Code on September 29, 2025.

According to the government, the organisation has a presence in Canada and has been associated with allegations involving extortion, threats, killings, shootings and arson.

The designation gives Canadian authorities additional powers relating to terrorist offences and allows measures such as the freezing or seizure of property connected to a listed entity, subject to the applicable legal process.

Concerns over recruitment of young Indians

Canadian intelligence material has also raised concerns that criminal networks may recruit vulnerable young people living in the country.

FINTRAC said financially vulnerable young Indian men, including some people in Canada on study permits, could be targeted for roles such as “foot soldiers” by criminal networks.

Canadian authorities have meanwhile taken action against several individuals allegedly linked to the Bishnoi network, including deportation proceedings. Such cases are dealt with on the basis of evidence and allegations against individual people through the relevant legal and immigration processes.

What remains unverified

While the police have confirmed receiving a letter referenced in the reporting, the authenticity of the newly surfaced copy and the claims made in it have not been independently established.

In particular, the figures concerning the number of Bishnoi gang members in Canada and the group's alleged weapons stockpile cannot be treated as verified facts without independent evidence.