Over $88,000 in $500 notes rain down at Lei Yue Mun Estate

Residents of Lei Yue Mun Estate were met with a surreal sight on Wednesday morning when more than HK$88,000 in HK$500 banknotes rained down from above, some of them partially burned.

Police received a report at around 8.24am from a security guard at Lei Sang House, who said banknotes were falling from the sky.

Officers arrived at the scene, conducted an investigation, and recovered banknotes totaling HK$88,030. Of the amount collected, HK$26,030 was found to be burned or charred.

Images circulating online showed that all the banknotes involved were HK$500 bills. Some were only slightly damaged, while others were burned down to a corner.

Kwun Tong District Councilor Jack Cheung Ki-tang said on social media that the Housing Department immediately cordoned off the area. He added that police officers went door to door in the building but had not yet identified the person responsible for the incident.

The case has been transferred to the Kwun Tong District Investigation Team for further investigation.

Under Hong Kong law, banknotes are regarded as the property of the issuing bank, with members of the public holding only the right to use them. Anyone who damages or destroys banknotes without lawful excuse commits an offense and, upon conviction, may face a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment.