A senior government official in Samoa has rejected claims the country is easy to fool by foreign investors.
The leader of the Tautua Samoa Party, Palusalue Fa'apo II, has raised questions why a number of investors with questionable histories have been allowed to come to Samoa.
The questions come following reports that the Chinese head of a company investing in a hotel and casino development is being held in custody in Beijing under investigation for corruption.
Concern has also been raised over other foreign investors.
Palusalue has suggested that the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour should have stricter rules for foreign investors coming to Samoa.
But the Ministry's chief executive Auelua Samuelu Enari has told the Samoa Observer any foreigner who requests a residential permit in Samoa needs to satisfy immigration requirements including good character provisions.
Auelua says the ministry starts monitoring once the business commences.