A millionaire restaurant tycoon, identified as To Ming Lam and allegedly a senior figure in the 14K triad, is accused of spreading influence in London's Chinatown and operating within a network connected to Chinese espionage, according to research by UK-China Transparency (UKCT).
Lam, founder of the Royal China Group and known by the moniker 'Brother Cow' in Chinese state media, is described as a "powerful and intimidating figure" by those familiar with London's Chinatown community. Despite accusations of links to organized crime, there is no evidence that Lam himself has committed criminal offenses. His companies have faced significant fines, including nearly £500,000 between 2018 and 2024 for employing illegal workers at its Baker Street flagship restaurant, which an immigration officer deemed "the worst licensed premises in Westminster."
Lam maintains close ties with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), having been honored conspicuously by the organization. His companies also made substantial PPE donations during the COVID-19 pandemic to entities including Transport for London, Brent Council, and the Metropolitan Police's elite Flying Squad. These donations occurred even as the police unit is tasked with countering organized crime.
Links to Espionage and Influence Operations
Lam's alleged ties to the 14K triad surfaced in evidence presented at a national security trial at the Old Bailey, which led to the conviction of two men for spying on behalf of Hong Kong and China. Phone records indicated discussions about employing triad members to attack a Hong Kong activist, with one spy's handler noting Lam "was known" to be part of the 14K. The convicted spies, Bill Yuen Chung-biu and Peter Wai Chi-leung, had previous associations with Lam. Yuen attended meetings of groups linked to Lam, while Wai led a dragon dance troupe sponsored by one of Lam's businesses and reportedly worked as a security guard for a family business.
UKCT research also highlighted that several of Lam's business partners in Hong Kong and Macau have been convicted of offenses including bribery, corruption, and foreign interference. Lam was a director of a company that owned a casino and a hotel, reportedly frequented by prostitutes and senior People's Liberation Army officials, though there is no evidence of Lam's direct involvement or knowledge of their criminal activities.
Lam has actively promoted causes aligned with the CCP, including advocating for the "reunification of the ancestor-land" and supporting the Party's stance on Hong Kong and Taiwan. He is a member of groups such as Promotion of China Re-Unification in the UK and heads the Heung Yee Kuk, representing areas of Hong Kong's New Territories. He has met with Chinese Embassy officials in London and was invited as the sole UK representative to the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference in Beijing. He has also been pictured by the Chinese Embassy as an "overseas Chinese community leader."
His activities align with the goals of China's United Front Work Department (UFWD), an organization described as a tool for spreading Beijing's influence internationally through front organizations and covert means. Past cases, such as those involving businessman Yang Tengbo and lawyer Christine Lee, have also been linked to alleged UFWD activities.
Police Understanding and National Security Concerns
The arrival of over 170,000 Hongkongers fleeing repression has complicated Beijing's influence efforts but also made them more critical, leading to accusations that front organizations and organized crime groups are being used to spy on and intimidate these anti-communist arrivals. Many Hongkongers express frustration with UK police, whom they believe lack the cultural and linguistic understanding to address the complexities of the Chinese community and Chinese organized crime.
Research commissioned by the Home Office warns of the police's poor understanding of Chinese organized crime groups, with one officer admitting "we have no chance" of dismantling them. This research draws explicit links between the Chinese Communist Party, its diplomats, and Chinese organized crime groups, describing these connections as a threat to national security.
The 14K triad, with which Lam is allegedly connected, has a history of extensive criminal activities, including drug trafficking, illegal gambling, and human trafficking. Wan Kuok-koi, known as "Broken Tooth" and a former leader of the 14K in Macau, was jailed for numerous crimes before re-emerging as a businessman allegedly backed by the CCP and sanctioned by the U.S. for corruption. Broken Tooth is also a member of the same Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference to which Lam was invited.
The National Crime Agency's 2026 strategic assessment identifies Chinese organized crime groups as significant threats to the UK, involved in fraud, drug precursor supply, and underground banking. UKCT's research suggests systematic linkages between the CCP, Chinese officials in the UK, and individuals with ties to the shadow economy, dubious business practices, or criminal activities, posing a substantial risk.
Lam did not respond to requests for comment on the accusations. The persistence of these questions and his documented links to the Communist Party highlight concerns about the groups purporting to represent the diverse Chinese community in the UK.