Retiree couple arrested for using fake $5b "bonds" at HSBC

A retired Hong Kong couple was arrested on Monday after attempting to open a bank account using false documents labeled as "HK$500 million bonds" at an HSBC branch in Central.  

Police were called at around 12.35pm today after bank staff grew suspicious of the 66-year-old man and his 62-year-old wife, who presented what appeared to be fake financial certificates. 

Officers confiscated around 10 documents, each purportedly worth HK$500 million, and arrested the pair on suspicion of using false instruments.  

The couple, both Hong Kong ID holders and retirees, are currently detained for further investigation. The case is being handled by the Central District Police Criminal Investigation Team.  

This incident follows a nearly identical case in April, when three mainland Chinese nationals—aged 65, 72, and 75—were arrested in Mong Kok after attempting to open an account with 1,999 fake "HK$500 million bonds" at another bank. Police later confirmed the documents were counterfeit.  

According to reports, similar "bonds" were widely circulated on mainland social platforms. These were fabricated based on banknotes from the 1990s, falsely claiming to commemorate Hong Kong's 1997 handover.

Police have previously seized such counterfeit documents, some of which are now displayed at the Police Museum.