Chinese man arrested for following woman from bank, stealing $59,000

By Yen Khanh, Phuoc Tuan May 12, 2024 | 10:49 pm PT

Huang BaoLei is arrested by the police in Binh Duong Province in southern Vietnam, May 12, 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Yen Khanh

A Chinese man has been arrested for allegedly following a woman from a bank and stealing VND1.5 billion ($58,930) she withdrew in southern Binh Duong Province last January.

Huang BaoLei, 40, was taken in Sunday for questioning and the police said they are also looking for his accomplices.

Huang and his accomplices allegedly came to Vietnam four months ago with the intention of robbing people.

At around 4 p.m. on Jan. 26 they spotted a 48-year-old woman walking out of a bank at the VSIP II industrial park in Thu Dau Mot City carrying a plastic bag and getting into a car.

The group followed her.

When she arrived at her house and got off, she did not lock the car.

Huang stole the plastic bag that was inside with VND1.5 billion in cash and a golden ring and got away.

The group converted the money into around 400,000 yuan, split it and went into hiding.

An investigation found Huang to be the prime suspect. The police are looking for his accomplices, and have not revealed how many there were.