—- Amid to overtake Hotels and Casino Businesses
IPNEWS: A month-long joint investigation by the authoritative Independent Probe Newspaper, has established the operations of a Chinese mafia-like group with links to the Triads operations in Liberia.
According to sources both Chinese and Liberians associates, the ‘triads’ affiliate group intends to overtake Liberia hospitality businesses such as Hotels and Casinos operations in a bid to widen the groups operations within the tiny west African country.
The Triads, is a organized Chinese criminalized group roaming the west AFRICAN REGION suspected of being involved in various illicit activities across Africa, particularly West Africa.
Many of this group recent operations are known to move timber, wildlife products (such as pangolin scales and rosewood), gold, and diamonds from Liberia and other Parts of Africa to the Asian markets.
Liberia, with its porous borders and issues in regulating artisanal mining, has become a hotspot for the Triads smuggling operations.
Importantly, Money laundering is a significant part of the group’s operations according to sources within the National SECURITY Agency Who told IPNEWS on condition of not to be named. Liberia has been noted as a country of concern for money laundering, with some cases involving international wire transfers from countries where Chinese criminal activity, such as Ecuador and Slovakia.
In recent times the Triads group has launched a Scam operations on a large-scale online scam compounds that use human trafficking victims for forced labor.
IPNEWS investigation uncovered that at least five dormitories have now been opened in several locations within Monrovia and its suburbs where several Chinese females are encamped awaiting to be used as sex slaves.
Sources both in and out of Liberia confirmed to the authoritative Independent Probe Newspaper of the group’s general presence and activities in Monrovia.
An insider confided to IPNEWS that the group has sought the protection of senior Liberian government officials for protection.
Last month, a Liberian owner of a four star Hotel in Monrovia known as the Colony Hotel complained of Chinese encroachments on her Hotel by some Chinese with the alleged protection from chief Justice Gbeisay, in a case of debt to which it has no attachment regardless of repeated bill of information clarifying the new colony Hotel total innocence in the debt case involving serval Chinese nationals and former owners of the property housing the colony Hotel.
The case involved a US$1.2 million debt owed by Najib Kamand (former operator of the now-defunct Palm Springs Hotel) to Ding Shu Jun (a Chinese national). After Kamand’s appeals failed, the Supreme Court ordered the lower court to enforce the judgment in December 2024.
Ding Shu Jun, is believed to be a close friend of chief Justice Gbeisay.
In February 2025, the Front Page Africa reported that then Associate Justice Yamie Q. Gbeisay reportedly ordered the release of Chinese national Michael Shio from the Monrovia Central Prison just minutes after his remand.
Shio, who then faced charges including Criminal Attempt to Commit Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Felonious Restraint, was initially committed to the prison following his alleged involvement in the brutal assault of Momo David.
Sources indicated that despite being remanded, the Associate Justice exercised his authority to override the magistrate court’s decision.
The defendants, including Shio is also belived to be a member of Triads and his security guards Emmanuel Nyumah, Andrew Barmoh, and Sunday Sumo, had filed a bond. However, it appeared the bond did not meet the necessary requirements for their release from the Monrovia City Court.
The charges stemmed from an incident on January 13, 2025, when the defendants allegedly burned Momo David at Shio’s residence in the Congo Town Back Road community.
According to police investigations, the security guards apprehended David, who was found carrying a solar panel, and took him into Shio’s compound. They then restrained him in a bathroom and tortured him by pouring hot oil on his body.
The unexpected release sparked concerns and raised questions about the influence and decision-making powers within the Liberian judicial system.
It may be recalled, a death occurred in February 2011, at the former Chinese owned Great wall China Hotel’s Chinese proprietor, Mr. Jiang Fengbo, was found dead in his hotel room with his hands and legs tied.
According to initial police reports from that time, Mr. Jiang Fengbo, 55, appeared to have been strangled to death by unknown assailants. The body was discovered by a janitor who used a spare key after receiving no response from the room. Police launched an investigation into the murder, with the case being handled by the Crimes Against The Person – Homicide Section of the Liberia National Police. However, Chinese sources later told IPNEWS that it was an operation carried out by members of the Triads group in its initial operations in Liberia
Currently, an alleged member of the Triads identified as Yang Dan, a Chinese businessman and investor is involved in a series of controversial financial and legal disputes in here in Liberia.
Yang Dan is currently under investigation by Liberian authorities for allegedly defrauding other Chinese investors of over US$6 million in false investment schemes.
According to investigation, Yang Dan has allegedly solicited millions of dollars from various Chinese investors (including Hong Yin, Jing Wei, Fu Longjun, Ding Lijun, Guo Bingli) for supposedly high-return ventures in Liberia, specifically a water production plant in Bomi County and import/export businesses (rice and building materials).
According to investigation victims claimed Yang Dan misrepresented himself as an authorized shareholder of Duke Global Investment Limited (also referred to as A.M. Dukuly Investment Group) and sold them non-existent shares in projects that were not operational, while he and current Managing Director of the National Port Authority (NPA), Sekou A. M. Dukuly, were partners.
Yang Dan HAS EARLIER accused Dukuly of defrauding him of over $3 million and unlawfully seizing a mineral water factory and equipment in Bomi County.
Sekou Dukuly, in turn, claims Yang Dan is the one who defrauded him and other investors, and that their business dealings were a commercial partnership dispute, not a criminal matter.
Dukuly consistently rejects the accusations, and the LNP’s Financial Crime Investigation Division (FCID) concluded the matter is a commercial dispute, not a criminal offense.
In March 2025, Yang Dan was investigated for alleged financial crimes and debt disputes and later in June 2025, Yang Dan filed a complaint against Dukuly, accusing him of misappropriating funds and seizing assets.
Subsequently in August 2025 Dukuly denied the allegations, stating the case is a business matter.
In late October 2025, Yang Dan’s allegations accusing ,r. Dukuly of fraud and using police to take over property are reported, after investigation, the LNP clears Mr. Dukuly of criminal charges, stating the issue is a commercial dispute.
Specific accusations and Dukuly’s rejections
Yang Dan accused Dukuly of misappropriating a US$2.5 million investment and seizing assets. He also alleged Dukuly used state influence and police to seize property and orchestrated a bribery scheme. Furthermore, Yang accused Dukuly of defrauding him in a joint venture.
Dukuly maintained that the claims were false and misleading, and that it was a business dispute. The LNP’s FCID found no evidence of criminal wrongdoing, concluding that both parties had jointly established companies and contributed towards projects, and that Yang remained a shareholder. Despite Dukuly being cleared of criminal charges, the commercial dispute continues with differing accounts of the business relationship and financial contributions. The controversy has raised concerns about Liberia’s business environment.
Since Yang Dan arrest on March 7, 2025, and charged with theft of property and other financial crimes. He is in custody while the investigations and legal proceedings continue. He is also involved in a debt dispute with another company for vehicle services.
The “operation” in Liberia appears to be primarily related to business investments and subsequent allegations of large-scale fraud and financial misconduct, involving both other Chinese nationals and a high-ranking Liberian official.
In Mar 9, 2025 — Defendant Yang Dan age 39 allegedly collected US$148,430 from Shanghai under pretenses but did not have the authority to make such
On of the notable name of Triads Group is another Chinese national Gao Feng, alias “the Real Minister” in Liberia . He is also popularly known as “Barry”.
Gao Feng gained notoriety for his significant influence and alleged illicit activities within Liberia’s Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), especially during the Weah’s government, where he has been accused of bribery, illegal license issuance, and manipulating the mining sector through companies linked to him, such as Urban & Rural Services Inc. and Xin Li Da Investment Development Ltd. His moniker, “the Real Minister,” reflects the substantial power he reportedly wielded within the ministry.
In 2024, the Liberian Senate initiated an investigation into his activities within the mining sector.
