Canadian Police Issue Warrant for Indian National in $800,000 Psychic Scam

TORONTO - Toronto police have issued a Canada-wide warrant for a 29-year-old Indian national, Gangadhar Babu, who is accused of defrauding a victim of over $800,000 by posing as a psychic, fortune teller, and spiritual healer before fleeing to India .

According to investigators, the suspect "performed pseudo-scientific rituals to deceive the victim into believing they were cursed and in need of spiritual healing" . The victim was allegedly conned out of the massive sum through a series of payments over an extended period. Authorities believe there may be additional victims and are urging anyone with information to come forward .

Alarming Rise of Indian-Linked Scams and Crime in Canada

The case is part of a growing trend of sophisticated scams and criminal networks linked to Indian nationals operating in Canada. Recent data and reports highlight a surge in fraudulent activities, including:

• Cyber and Phone Scams: Canadian authorities have issued urgent alerts about a widespread "digital arrest" scam originating from India, where fraudsters impersonate law enforcement officials to extort money from victims .

• Organized Crime Connections: A Canadian intelligence report from April 2026 warned of Lawrence Bishnoi's "criminal empire" operating in Canada, with the Indian government accused of failing to share intelligence and using the gangster as a proxy to target Khalistani separatists abroad .

• Exploitation of Immigration System: Criminal networks, often operating from India, are actively exploiting Canada's immigration system to traffic individuals into forced labor or the sex trade, according to intelligence assessments by Canada's Integrated Threat Assessment Centre (ITAC) .

Deportations of Indian Nationals Surge

Canada has significantly increased deportations of Indian nationals, who are the largest group among foreign nationals subject to removal orders. In 2026 alone, the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) has deported more than 3,000 Indian nationals for reasons including:

• Involvement in fraudulent activities and scams

• Immigration violations and misuse of study permits

• Criminal offenses and ties to organized crime

This surge has sparked diplomatic tensions, with India criticizing Canada's visa policies as "unsustainable" and blaming the country for damage to India's global reputation . However, Canada maintains that it is a sovereign right to remove individuals who violate its laws .

Canada-India Diplomatic Tensions

The rise in scams, criminal activity, and deportations has contributed to strained relations between Ottawa and New Delhi. The Indian government has denied allegations of its involvement in transnational crime, while Canada's security agencies have warned about the "nexus" between organized crime networks in India and their operations in Canadian territory .