Triad (organised crime)

Long ago, secret groups formed in China.

They wanted to change who ruled the land. These groups were once called the Hung Society.

Later, these groups began to do bad things. They moved to new places like Hong Kong. Some went to lands far away too.

They often worked in groups to make money. They used unfair ways to get what they wanted. Many people worked hard to stop them.

Today, police in many lands look for them. They want to keep people safe and fair. It is important to learn the truth.

Triads are groups of criminals from China.

Long ago, they were secret societies. They wanted to change the ruling family in China. These groups were once part of the Hung Society. Some groups were also part of the White Lotus.

In the 1900s, these groups changed. Some helped leaders attack their enemies. After 1949, the new government in China fought them. This forced the groups to move. Many moved to Hong Kong and Macau. Others moved to places far away, like the United States.

In Hong Kong, the groups grew. Some were very large. They often fought over land and jobs.

Some groups lived in the Kowloon Walled City. This was a crowded place in Hong Kong.

Today, triads are found in many countries. They work in many ways to make money. This includes illegal drugs and gambling. They also use unfair ways to get money from people. Police in many lands work hard to stop them. They try to keep people safe from these groups.

Triads are large groups of organized criminals from China. They are known as transnational syndicates because they work in many different countries. The name "triad" comes from the Chinese term San He Hui. This term refers to the union of heaven, earth, and humanity.

Some people think the name comes from the use of triangles. However, the term was used in Southern China as early as 1826. Today, these groups are very different from one another. They have unique cultures and structures based on where they live.

These groups began as secret societies a long time ago. In the 18th and 19th centuries, they were often patriotic movements. Many were part of the Hung Society or the White Lotus. They wanted to overthrow the Manchu-ruling Qing dynasty in China. They used the slogan "Oppose the Qing and Restore the Ming dynasty." These groups helped immigrants settle in new places by finding them jobs. They acted as mutual assistance groups for people moving to new lands.

History changed how these groups operated over time. During the Republican era in the early 20th century, they were used by the Nationalist regime. They were sometimes hired to attack political enemies. After the People's Republic of China was founded in 1949, the government began crackdowns. Leaders like Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping worked to stop these secret societies. Because of this, many triad members moved to Hong Kong and Macau. They also moved to places like Taiwan, Southeast Asia, and the United States.

In Hong Kong, the triads became very large and organized. Between 1914 and 1939, there were more than 300 different societies. One famous leader during the 1930s was Du Yuesheng. In the 1950s, an estimated 300,000 triad members lived in Hong Kong.

Some groups even controlled areas like the Kowloon Walled City. There were four main groups known as the "Big Four." These were the Chiu Chow Group, 14K, the Wo Group, and the Sze Tai. They divided land by location and ethnic groups.

Modern triads are involved in many illegal activities around the world. They make money through things like illegal gambling and drug trafficking. They also use extortion to get money from people and businesses. In Europe, police have found them working with other groups like the Camorra. They have been involved in moving illegal waste and human trafficking. In recent years, police in many countries have worked to stop them. They use special operations to catch members and seize their property.

A triad is a transnational organized crime syndicate. These groups are based in Greater China. They also have outposts in many countries with large Chinese populations. The term "triad" is a translation of the Chinese name San He Hui. This name refers to the union of heaven, earth, and humanity.

Some believe the name comes from triangular imagery used by these groups. However, the term was used by William Milne in 1826. This was well before the British colony of Hong Kong was even formed. Today, the word is often used for all Chinese criminal groups. This is actually imprecise. Triad groups are unique in their geography, ethnicity, and culture. In mainland China, criminal organizations are often called "black societies" or "dark forces."

To understand these groups, one must look at their origins in secret societies. In the 18th and 19th centuries, these were often patriotic movements. They were branches of the secret Hung Society. Their goal was to overthrow the Manchu-ruling Qing dynasty. This dynasty was seen as foreign and tyrannical by the Han ethnic majority. Many groups used the slogan "Oppose the Qing and Restore the Ming dynasty." Some of these societies were influenced by the White Lotus of the 14th century. Others were linked to the Taiping and Boxer Rebellions. These early groups were often seen as legitimate ways to help immigrants. They provided employment and local connections for people moving to new places.

History changed the nature of these societies through political shifts. During the Republican era of the early 20th century, triads were used by the Nationalist regime. They were enlisted to attack political enemies through assassinations. One notable group was the Green Gang, a splinter of the Hung Society. They participated in the Shanghai massacre of Chinese Communist Party members in 1927. After 1949, the People's Republic of China was founded. Mao Zedong ordered crackdowns on secret societies in mainland China. Later, Deng Xiaoping used "Strike Hard" campaigns in 1978 to fight organized crime. These actions forced most triads to relocate to Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. They also moved to Southeast Asia and the United States.

In Hong Kong, the triads grew into massive and organized networks. Between 1914 and 1939, more than 300 societies were established in the territory. A prominent leader during the 1930s was Du Yuesheng. By the 1950s, an estimated 300,000 triad members lived in Hong Kong.

Some groups even controlled areas like the Kowloon Walled City from the 1950s to the 1970s. In Hong Kong, four main groups are known as the "Big Four." These are the Chiu Chow Group, 14K, the Wo Group, and the Sze Tai. These groups divided territory by ethnic group and geographic location. Each group maintained its own headquarters and public image.

As these groups moved overseas, their activities shifted toward illegal markets. They began to rely on the illegal drug trade and extortion for income. In the 21st century, their reach has become truly global. For example, the Sun Yee On group has been reported to send teams to São Paulo. These teams use intimidation and assault to collect protection money. In Japan, police have noted increasing clashes between the yakuza and Chinese gangs. In Europe, police launched Operation China Truck in 2011. This operation targeted a triad operating in Italy, France, Spain, and Germany. The group was accused of extortion, illegal gambling, and drug trafficking.

Modern triads often form partnerships with other criminal organizations. In Italy, there is a close relationship between triads and the Camorra. The port of Naples is a major landing point for their joint trades. They have been involved in human trafficking and illegal immigration. They also work together on synthetic drug trafficking and money laundering. One major scheme involved transporting illicit industrial waste. The waste moved from Prato, Italy, to Hong Kong. This scheme earned millions of US dollars for both organizations. Such connections show how these groups integrate into global systems.

Law enforcement continues to target these complex networks. In 2018, Italian police arrested 33 people connected to a triad. They seized many vehicles, businesses, and bank accounts. In April 2025, a key figure named Zhang Dayong was executed in Rome. He was the right-hand man of Zhang Naizhong, a leader of the Chinese mafia in Europe. Zhang Dayong managed underground gambling and loan sharking in Rome. His death highlights the violent nature of enforcement within these hierarchies. Despite these efforts, the transnational nature of triads makes them difficult to stop.