A violent criminal network targeting South Asian business owners and defrauding insurance companies by staging collisions has been dismantled, Peel Regional Police announced on Monday. The sweeping investigation—dubbed Project Outsource—has led to 18 arrests and nearly 100 criminal charges.
“This investigation has delivered a significant blow to a well-organised criminal network that has been spreading fear and violence in our communities,” said Chief Nishan Duraiappah.
“These individuals and their actions have no place here, and they will be held fully accountable.”
Unveiled at a press conference in Peel Region, Project Outsource revealed the operations of a Brampton-based group that orchestrated a spree of violent crimes, including drive-by shootings, arsons, and threats—all part of an escalating pattern of extortion. The police investigation was launched in July 2024 following what Chief Duraiappah described as a “sharp” rise in violent extortion attempts in 2023 targeting members of the South Asian business community.
Detective Brian Lorette, who led the Extortion Investigation Task Force, said investigators uncovered two interlinked components within the criminal network: one focused on extortion and violence, the other embedded within the towing industry.
According to Lorette, the group was behind a “significant portion” of extortion incidents in Peel and across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), and also manipulated the insurance system by staging “dozens” of fake collisions. These incidents were “fraudulent in every aspect,” he said.
“They start at the planning stage. These are collisions that are often happening on our roadways, which obviously have a public safety impact, sometimes including police, ambulance and fire attending the scene.”
Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich added that the fraudulent claims exceeded $1 million in total. The scale of the operation was immense. Police executed 67 search warrants across Peel Region, Caledon, York Region, and Toronto on June 10. The result: a haul of over $4.2 million in seized assets, including 18 tow trucks valued at $2.8 million, four high-end personal vehicles, five stolen cars, six firearms, 586 rounds of ammunition, two bulletproof vests, and various other weapons.
The suspects were allegedly affiliated with towing companies operating under the names Certified Roadside and Humble Roadside. Police believe these companies were fronts used to commit the staged collisions and related fraud.
As of June 10, 2025, the following individuals have been arrested and charged in connection with Project Outsource:
• Haleh Javady Torabi, 37, of King City
• Inderjit Dhami, 38, of Brampton
• Paritosh Chopra, 32, of Brampton
• Gurbinder Singh, 28, of Brampton
• Kulwinder Puri, 25, of Brampton
• Parminder Puri, 31, of Brampton
• Inderjit Bal, 29, of Brampton
• Varun Aul, 31, of Brampton
• Ketan Chopra, 30, of Brampton
• Norman Tazehkand, 32, of Brampton
• Pawandeep Singh, 25, of Brampton
• Dipanshu Garg, 24, of Brampton
• Rahul Verma, 27, of Brampton
• Karan Boparai, 26, of Brampton
• Mankirat Boparai, 22, of Brampton
• Simar Boparai, 21, of Brampton
• Jovan Singh, 23, of Brampton
• Abhinav Bhardwaj, 25, of Brampton
Charges laid against the group include criminal organisation participation, extortion, fraud, firearms possession, and more. While three individuals have been released pending court appearances, 15 remain in custody following bail hearings at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton. Alarmingly, nearly half of those arrested were already on some form of judicial release at the time.
“Once again raising serious concerns about repeat offenders and the urgent need for bail reform,” said Chief Duraiappah.
The investigation was conducted in partnership with the Ontario Provincial Police, Toronto Police Service, York Regional Police, Halton Regional Police, the RCMP, and the Canada Border Services Agency. It was supported through funding from the Government of Ontario’s Ministry of the Solicitor General and coordinated by the Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario.
Deputy Chief Jeff Hill of the Halton Regional Police Service called Project Outsource “a testament to the power of police collaboration,” noting that “criminal networks have no borders, and neither does law enforcement.”
Solicitor General of Ontario Michael S. Kerzner commended the operation:
“Our government is proud to have supported Peel Regional Police… We will always support the brave men and women who protect Ontario and keep our communities safe.”
The success of the operation was echoed by law enforcement leaders across the GTA. Superintendent Sony Dosanjh of York Regional Police said, “Whenever violence is used to silence and exploit members of the community, a strong and coordinated response is essential.”
Project Outsource was sparked by a growing pattern of violence and intimidation against business owners in Peel, culminating in the establishment of the dedicated Extortion Investigation Task Force in December 2023. The task force’s efforts have now led to what authorities believe will be a significant disruption of criminal activity in the region.
“This initiative is an example of how, regardless of jurisdictional lines, police services are facing the same public safety challenges,” said Chief Superintendent Joe Matthews of Toronto Police.
“Working together is paramount to ensuring the safety of everyone.”
Peel Police are urging any victims of extortion to come forward. Information can be reported directly to police at (905) 453-3131 or anonymously via Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.peelcrimestoppers.ca.
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Quick facts:
• 18 arrests, with 97 criminal charges laid
• $4.2 million in assets seized, including tow trucks, vehicles, and weapons
• Nearly 50% of those arrested were already on judicial release
• Charges include extortion, insurance fraud, firearms offences, and more
The investigation continues, with police anticipating more arrests and charges in the coming weeks.
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