A Vaughan, Ont., man has been arrested in connection with an alleged illegal gambling ring that police say relied on violence and threats to recoup debts.
Police say that the suspect worked with an organized crime group that was behind the gambling ring between January and September of this year.
The group gave victims access to websites where user could place bets on credit, investigators say. Police say that the victims were then forced to settle their debts in cash, “sometimes in exaggerated amounts” after losing bets.
The 37-year-old suspect used violence and threats to scare victims into paying their debts, investigators say.
At least one person had been kidnapped as part of the extortions, a York Regional Police officer confirmed to CTV News Toronto.
On Tuesday police executed a search warrant at a residence in Vaughan and found a loaded firearm and cash.
Along with the primary suspect, police found a second, 34-year-old suspect who they say is unrelated to the extortion investigation and was instead arrested on firearms charges.
Umberto (Rob) Rupolo has been charged with 14 offences, including kidnapping, four counts of extortion and charges related to working for the criminal organization.
Sadaf Mokhammad, also from Vaughan, has been charged with three offences related to the firearm and one count related to criminal proceeds.
The investigation remains ongoing and police say there could be more victims.