Asian signature crimes include home invasion robberies, gang conflicts, assault, murder, extortion, fraud, credit card scams, drug importation and trafficking, shoplifting, gaming offences, counterfeiting and smuggling offences. Much of the increase in violent Asian-related criminal activity can be attributed to Vietnamese, Laotian and Cambodian street gangs. Criminal groups operating in the Asian community continue to be responsible for most counterfeit credit card fraud in Canada. Asian-based groups have also been involved in the distribution of counterfeit currency. They are also involved in the smuggling and trafficking of multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine.
Asian criminals continue to be involved in the smuggling of illegal migrants.
In September 1997, police and immigration officials arrested approximately 40 people involved in a prostitution ring. This ring smuggled Asian women, primarily from Thailand and Malaysia, into North America via Vancouver and subsequently placed them in brothels in Vancouver, Toronto and Los Angeles. They were moved from place to place in Canada and the United States and were required to pay off their debts through prostitution. In British Columbia, the DAI HUEN JAI are still the predominant Asian-based organized crime group. They have ties to Toronto, the United States and Hong Kong.