Robbers with bogus bomb steal over $40,000 from Yangon bank
A photo purportedly showing the fake bomb used by the robbers at the CB Bank branch. (Kyaw Swar Myint / Facebook)

Yangon police are on the hunt for two gun men who robbed a CB Bank branch using a bundle of fake dynamite strapped to a cell phone this morning.

The suspects stole 60 million kyats (US$41,200) from the bank in North Dagon township before driving off in a Toyota Probox—a model most commonly used by taxi drivers and a ubiquitous sight on the roads of Yangon.

Yangon regional lawmaker Tin Tun Naing told news outlet The Irrawaddy that the robbers struck just before the bank opened, around 8.40am.

Nobody was hurt during the robbery although staff were threatened with a gun, added Tin Tun Naing.

A bomb squad attended the scene to dispose of what appeared to be an explosive device, however it turned out to be sticks and a cell phone wrapped together with black tape.