75-year-old Singaporean jailed for airgun bank robbery in Hong Kong

Leong How-seng committed the robbery at a China Construction Bank (Asia) branch on Nathan Road in Kowloon in 2022, escaping with HK$14,000 (US$1,801). According to court records, Leong carried out the crime after exhausting his savings, The Straits Times reported.

Authorities apprehended Leong at his residence after reviewing CCTV footage from the scene. Investigation revealed that he had used more than half of the stolen cash for rent, buying a new bag, and topping up his transportation card, SCMP reported.

Leong initially arrived in Hong Kong in 2007. His Singaporean passport expired in 2009, and Leong said he overstayed to evade debt collectors in Singapore.

During his extended stay in Hong Kong, Leong was unemployed and financially dependent on his girlfriend, whom he had met locally. Although married, Leong reportedly lost contact with his wife after leaving Singapore.