Aug 19, 2026 4:30 PM - Connect Newsroom - Ramandeep Kaur

Peel Regional Police in Ontario have arrested a Punjabi man and a woman in connection with an alleged extortion scheme in Brampton involving an online dating platform.
Police identified the accused as 35-year-old Harwinder Singh and 23-year-old Ria. Both have been charged with extortion, robbery and forcible confinement related to an e-transfer. Singh is also facing an additional charge of uttering threats.
According to Peel police, in July, a victim was contacted through a messaging app by a fake profile using the name “Manisha Sharma.” The two later arranged to meet at a basement apartment in Brampton in August.
Police allege that when the victim arrived, a suspect entered the room and threatened him, forcing him to transfer $6,000 electronically.
After the victim reported the incident, investigators identified the two suspects and arrested them in Brampton on August 12.
Police believe there may be other victims connected to the alleged scheme and are working to identify them.




