ABSTRACT
Beginning as bandit groups in China, triads spread with Chinese immigration across the world. They restrict membership to members of their own ethnic groups and provide a variety of illicit goods and services to their clients. Chinese gangs use language, culture, race, religion, and ethnicity to shield them from law enforcement. Many of the crimes of Chinese gangs are initially committed against members of their own ethnic groups. Tongs developed in the United States as a result of Chinese immigration and are often allied with triads. Both the Chinese triads and the Chinese tongs have an almost rigid hierarchical organizational structure and have set offices for their leaders. The lack of understanding by law enforcement of the language, culture, religion, ethnicity hinders the investigation of these groups by law enforcement.
Japanese groups like the yakuza have a long and concealed history. Although they have a worldwide presence, they are primarily located in areas with a significant Japanese population. yakuza have elaborate tattoos which they conceal from public view. They are typically embedded in the culture like Chinese organized crime groups, and are well-established in the community. Asian gangs that aren’t quite determined to be at the level of organized crime take on many of the characteristics of the organized crime groups.
The Chaldean Mafia has operated in the United States since 1985. Most of the Assyrian/Chaldean immigrant population practice the Chaldean Catholic religion and are Christians. They speak Aramaic as their native tongue. The younger generation, like those of other immigrants, may be marginalized by other groups and respond by forming a gang based on their common community characteristics (ethnicity, religion, etc.).
African organized crime groups like those in Nigeria originally centered on the drug trade. The Nigerian immigrant populations in other countries assisted in establishing a network for transport and sale of drugs, as well as an extensive money laundering operation. Other primary crimes include: weapons trafficking, human trafficking, kidnapping, robbery, diamond smuggling and extortion.
