By 3 News online staff
‘Runaway millionaire' Leo Gao, who allegedly skipped the country with more than $6m of Westpac money, has been remanded in custody after appearing in the Manukau District Court this afternoon.
The 30-year-old Chinese/New Zealander was arrested in Hong Kong in relation to the theft of $6,782,000 from Westpac bank in 2009.
Gao was extradited back to New Zealand this morning by a team of New Zealand police, where he faces charges of theft and money laundering.
Detective Inspector Mark Loper, who lead the investigation, says the case isn’t closed yet.
“There is still a great deal of work to be done to ensure that people are held accountable for this substantial theft.”
Gao had been remanded in custody in Hong Kong while the extradition process was on-going.
New Zealand Police received notification in the first week of December that extradition approval had been granted by Hong Kong authorities.
Gao did not contest the extradition, say police.
Gao’s arrival back in New Zealand follows a two-and-a-half-year police operation into the theft, which allegedly occurred after a $10 million overdraft facility was mistakenly loaded into the man's business account.
"There has been a significant amount of work underway behind the scenes – but for obvious reasons we haven't been in a position to discuss it,” says Mr Loper. “The fact that the matter involved two or three different jurisdictions has also added a layer of complexity and sensitivity."
A 32-year-old woman, Kara Hurring, was arrested on related charges when she re-entered New Zealand earlier this year. She is due to stand trial in 2012.
3 News