A BUSINESSMAN who lost nearly $1.6 million in cash in a Central bank yesterday claimed he was drugged by a former neighbour with a cigarette and a soya drink and robbed.
Lam Chi-pang, 38, told the police the neighbour and a woman who claimed to be his wife had stolen the money inside the Bank of China's Hong Kong headquarters while he was in a daze.
'During conversation, he offered me a deluxe cigarette,' Mr Lam said.
'When I smoked it, I felt dizzy.
'Later, the woman offered me a carton of Vitasoy and I drank it. And then I found myself in a semi-conscious state.' When he came out of the daze he discovered only a few hundred dollars left in his account, which minutes earlier contained nearly $1.6 million.
Mr Lam had deposited a remittance order for $1.58 million into his account when the bank opened at 9 am. He believed he had made out a cash cheque and handed the money to the other man while in a daze.