Malaysian man charged over $1m bank theft

A Malaysian man has faced court charged with theft and deception after allegedly stealing $1 million from a Melbourne bank.

Detectives say the 22-year-old visited the South Melbourne bank in August and used a false Chinese passport to transfer and withdraw $1 million.

He was arrested in Melbourne's CBD on Thursday after two properties were raided by police.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman says the man faced the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday afternoon charged with theft and deception.

He was remanded in custody to appear at the same court on January 19.