Tong of the Black Scorpion

The Tong of the Black Scorpion was a 19th century Chinese cult devoted to the ancient god Weng-Chiang. The Fourth Doctor called it one of the most dangerous criminal political organisations on Earth.

The Tong's followers believed that the god would one day come back and rule the world, a wish they saw seemingly fulfilled when 51st century war criminal Magnus Greel travelled back in time to 19th century China and used his advanced technology to take control of the cult. In London the Tong searched for the time cabinet which Greel had orginally possessed, which had come into the possession of Dr Litefoot via the Chinese Emperor himself.

In London, they were responsible for the abduction of young girls Greel needed for his recovery, as well as building him a large temple-like headquarters and doing various crimes for Greel.

The Tong's agents had a black scorpion tattooed on one of their hands. When caught, they were expected to commit suicide by taking a pill containing highly concentrated scorpion venom. The leader of the cult, subordinate to Greel, was Li H'sen Chang, who worked in the Palace Theatre as a conjurer (DW: The Talons of Weng-Chiang).