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Emotional Support — Counselling, crisis lines, culturally informed help +

Emotional Support

Extortion is traumatic. It’s normal to feel scared, ashamed, anxious, unable to sleep, or overwhelmed. These feelings are valid — and help is available.

VictimLink BC — 24/7, Free, Confidential

Call or text: 1-800-563-0808

Chat: victimlinkbc.ca

Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Service in 240+ languages including English, Français, Punjabi, Hindi, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Tagalog
Trained victim service workers who understand trauma
Help with safety planning, emotional support, and navigating the system
Can connect you to local services

You don’t have to explain everything. You can simply say: “I’m being threatened and I need help.”

If You Feel Unsafe With Yourself or Overwhelmed

If you are experiencing thoughts of self-harm or feel you cannot cope, please reach out immediately. These feelings are a normal trauma response — and support is available right now:

Talk Suicide Canada: 1-833-456-4566 — 24/7
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 686868 — 24/7
BC Crisis Line: 1-800-784-2433 — 24/7
Kids Help Phone (under 25): 1-800-668-6868 — 24/7

If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

Culturally Informed Counselling

It can help to speak with someone who shares your cultural background.

When calling, you can request:

A counsellor who speaks your language
Someone familiar with South Asian family dynamics
Someone experienced with crime-related trauma

South Asian Mental Health Alliance (SAMHAA)

Mental health resources, therapist directory, and programs specifically for South Asian communities

samhaa.org

Sikh Helpline

Confidential support line (UK-based, but takes calls internationally)

+44 845 313 0965 (24/7)

DIVERSEcity Community Resources

Multilingual counselling services in Surrey

604-597-0205 · dcrs.ca

MOSAIC

Counselling and family programs across Metro Vancouver

604-254-9626 · mosaicbc.org

PICS (Progressive Intercultural Community Services)

Counselling services in Surrey, Delta, and Abbotsford

604-596-7722 · pics.bc.ca

Local Victim Services

Police-based victim services provide free, confidential support regardless of whether you’ve filed a report.

Surrey: 604-599-7600 · victimsupport@surreypolice.ca
Abbotsford: 604-864-4757 · victimservices@abbypd.ca
Delta: 604-940-5019 · victimservices@deltapolice.ca
Langley: 604-532-3214 · langleyvictimservices@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Other BC communities: Find victim services in your area

Legal Support — Free lawyers, legal aid, your rights +

Legal Support

You may have questions about your legal options. Free and low-cost legal help is available.

What Lawyers Can Help With

Understanding your rights as crime victims
Navigating the criminal justice process
Civil options (restraining orders, privacy protection)
Immigration-related concerns if the extortion involves threats to your status
Advice on what to share with police
Understanding privacy laws around intimate images

You don’t need a lawyer to report a crime. But legal advice can help you understand your options.

Free & Low-Cost Legal Resources

Legal Aid BC — Free legal help for people with low income. Covers criminal, family, and immigration matters. 604-408-2172 (Vancouver) / 1-866-577-2525 (BC-wide) / lss.bc.ca
Access Pro Bono — Connects people to volunteer lawyers for free legal advice. 604-878-7400 (Vancouver) / 1-877-762-6664 (BC-wide) / accessprobono.ca
Lawyer Referral Service (CBA BC) — 30-minute consultation with a lawyer for $35. 604-687-3221 (Vancouver) / 1-800-663-1919 (BC-wide)
People’s Law School — Free legal information (not advice). peopleslawschool.ca
Clicklaw — Legal information and resources directory. clicklaw.bc.ca

Legal Aid BC — More Information

Who qualifies: Legal Aid BC provides free legal services to people with low to moderate income. Eligibility depends on income, family size, and the type of legal issue.

How to apply:

Call 604-408-2172 (Vancouver) or 1-866-577-2525 (province-wide)
Explain the situation — you’ll speak with an intake worker
They’ll assess eligibility and connect you to services

Available in multiple languages — ask for an interpreter if needed.

Important Notes

You are not in legal trouble for being extorted. You are a victim of a crime.
Immigration status: If worried about immigration consequences, speak to a lawyer before making decisions.

Financial Support — Crime victim compensation, bank fraud, recovery +

Financial Support

If you’ve lost money to extortion, there may be ways to recover some losses or get financial help.

Crime Victim Assistance Program (CVAP)

BC’s Crime Victim Assistance Program provides financial benefits to victims of violent crime, including extortion involving threats.

What CVAP can cover:

Counselling — Coverage for mental health support
Security upgrades — Up to $3,000 for locks, cameras, alarm systems, security lighting (verify current limits; figure dated June 2026)
Relocation expenses — If you need to move for safety reasons
Income support — In some circumstances
Protective measures — Safety-related expenses

How to apply:

Phone: 1-866-660-3888 (press 5)
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30am–4:30pm
Online: gov.bc.ca/cvap

You don’t need a police report to apply — though reporting can strengthen applications.

Bank Fraud Departments

If you transferred money to an extortionist, contact the bank immediately. While recovery isn’t guaranteed, acting quickly increases chances.

What to tell them:

You were victims of a crime (extortion)
The date(s) and amount(s) of transfers
How the transfer was made (e-transfer, wire, etc.)
Ask about fraud investigation and recovery options

Major bank fraud departments:

TD: 1-800-893-8319
RBC: 1-800-769-2555
Scotiabank: 1-866-625-0561
BMO: 1-844-837-9228
CIBC: 1-800-465-2422
National Bank: 1-888-835-6281

If cryptocurrency was sent: Recovery is very difficult, but still report to police. It helps build cases against criminal networks.

Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre

Report financial losses to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre — even if already reported to police.

Phone: 1-888-495-8501
Online: antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca

They collect data on fraud patterns across Canada, which helps investigations.

Talking to Family — How to share, reduce stigma, get support +

Talking to Family

One of the hardest parts of extortion is deciding whether — and how — to tell family members.

You understand this is especially complex in South Asian families, where:

Family reputation carries enormous weight
Certain topics (relationships, sexuality, finances) may be stigmatized
You may fear disappointing parents or elders
Community gossip feels like a real threat
Extortionists deliberately exploit these fears

You Are Not the Wrongdoers

This is important: Being extorted does not mean you did something wrong.

Extortionists are criminals who manipulate people. They target people precisely because they know how to exploit shame, family expectations, and cultural values.

Victim ≠ wrongdoer.

Even if the extortion involves something you regret, you are still a victim of a crime. You deserve support, not judgment.

Why Telling Someone Can Help

Isolation is the extortionist’s greatest tool. They rely on your silence.
Secrets create ongoing stress. Sharing — even with one person — can relieve enormous pressure.
You may need practical help — with phones, accounts, or finances.
Family may already sense something is wrong. Explaining can actually reduce suspicion.
Many people fear the worst reaction from family; in practice, support is often possible when the conversation is handled calmly and safely. Even if the initial reaction is difficult.

How to Approach the Conversation

You don’t have to share everything at once. Here are some approaches:

Starting simple:

“I’m dealing with something difficult. Someone is threatening me online. I haven’t done anything illegal, but I’m scared. I need your support.”

If worried about their reaction:

“Before I tell you what’s happening, I need you to know: I’m the victim here. This is a crime that’s happening to me. I need you to hear the whole thing before you react.”

If the extortion involves something sensitive:

“Someone is trying to use something against me. What matters right now is that they’re committing a crime. I’m working with [police/victim services/a counsellor] to handle it. I needed you to know.”

If not ready to share details:

“I can’t tell you everything right now, but I want you to know I’m dealing with a serious threat. I’m getting help. What I need from you is [support/patience/to not ask questions yet].”

Addressing Stigma

If family members react with judgment, these points may help:

“This is happening to many families.” Extortion is a widespread crime targeting South Asian communities specifically. You are not alone.
“They chose me because of my values.” Extortionists deliberately target people they think will be too ashamed to report.
“Silence helps them, not you.” The only way to stop them is to talk about it.
“I need support, not blame.” Even if I made a mistake, I’m being criminally targeted. That’s not my fault.

If Not Ready to Tell Family

That’s okay. You can:

Talk to a counsellor first (see Emotional Support above)
Contact VictimLink BC — they can help you think through the decision
Work with victim services — they’ve helped many people navigate this
Tell a trusted friend first
Take time — there’s no deadline

You get to decide what to share, when, and with whom.

If Someone Has Told You They’re Being Extorted

Listen without judgment. Your reaction matters.
Believe them. They came to you because they trust you.
Don’t blame. Even if confused or upset, blame helps the extortionist.
Ask how you can help. Let them guide what they need.
Keep it private. Don’t share with others without their permission.
Support them in getting help. Offer to help them call victim services or accompany them to police.

Your support can make all the difference.

Quick Reference — All phone numbers in one place +

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