Hong Kong arrests New Zealand $10m bank error fugitive

A man on the run from New Zealand since a bank mistakenly deposited millions of dollars into his account has been arrested in Hong Kong.

Police say Hui Gao - a New Zealander of Chinese origin - was handed over to Interpol after he was stopped at the border between Hong Kong and China.

Two years ago, he asked Westpac Bank for an overdraft of NZ$100,000 ($77,000; £49,000).

But it mistakenly put NZ$10m into his account.

The bank discovered its error within days but, by then, more than NZ$6m had allegedly been transferred to other accounts.

Hui Gao was remanded in custody by a court in Hong Kong for an extradition hearing on 28 November.

The 30-year-old was wanted for alleged theft and money laundering.

His former girlfriend, Kara Hurring, who left New Zealand with him in 2009, returned voluntarily to her home country in February.

She will face trial next year on charges of stealing theft and money laundering.

Detective Inspector Mark Loper said the arrest in Hong Kong reinforced the determination and tenacity of the New Zealand police to apprehend Mr Hui.