What would you do?
By paula27661
@paula27661 (15811)
Australia
May 30, 2009 2:33am CST
A New Zealand couple applied for a $100,000 overdraft through their bank and to their delight and surprise their bank account was credited with 10 million dollars instead!
It was a bank error obviously, but it did not stop the family from fleeing with the money and where they ran to nobody knew, until now perhaps, because the woman put a comment on her Facebook profile about how much she likes China!
The Police are conducting an investigation.
My husband’s account was credited with $56,000 not long ago. Ohem…Slight pay error! We were pretty sure that, although he has a good job, it does not pay $56,000 per fortnight! (I wish!) Of course he gave the money back, he is an honest person and it would have been pretty easy to trace anyway.
Has anything like this ever happen to you? What would you do if you came across a windfall this way?
The people that ran away with their new found fortune; do you think they are idiots or would you have done the same?
Please share.
The Police are conducting an investigation.
My husband’s account was credited with $56,000 not long ago. Ohem…Slight pay error! We were pretty sure that, although he has a good job, it does not pay $56,000 per fortnight! (I wish!) Of course he gave the money back, he is an honest person and it would have been pretty easy to trace anyway.
Has anything like this ever happen to you? What would you do if you came across a windfall this way?
The people that ran away with their new found fortune; do you think they are idiots or would you have done the same?
Please share.15 people like this
53 responses
@Aussies2007 (5336)
• Australia
30 May 09
Yes... I have been following this story.
There is something which puzzle me about it.
Maybe it is because I don't have any experience in money transfer matters.
But how do you move 3 million without being caught?
They only took 3 million with them... and left 7 million behind.
But if you were going to transfer 3 million to another account...
Surely... the police and the bank could trace it to that other account.
And you cannot exactly widthdraw 3 million in cash from your bank account.
Nor can you fly to Hong Kong with 3 million in your suitcase and pass custom.
So? How did they do it?
The police said that they were amateurs not prepare for this... and that it will be easy to catch them.
So far... they are doing a pretty good job.
And 3 million in China will buy you an hiding place for the rest of your life.
Will be interesting to see what happens next.
If they have a chinese connection...
They will never be found again.
2 people like this
@Aussies2007 (5336)
• Australia
30 May 09
I am starting to think that they had a chinese friend in NZ...
And he is helping them... for a small fee. lol
They invited their sister to visit them in Hong Kong.
She went and I came back.
The NZ police questionned her... but she did not know where he was.
The NZ police is saying... "Don't spend the money... and we will go easy on you". lol
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
30 May 09
I have asked myself the same questions.
I read somewhere that the Police said that if they came back now they would be unlikely to be charged because they had not physically handled the money but they could face charges relating to using a computer to access the money. (??)
The only thing I can think of is that they could have transferred the money to different accounts and made regular withdrawals before doing a runner but that does not sound too feasible and as you say how they would they manage leaving the country with all that cash on them?
They may have had help from overseas somehow. I would love to find out...
1 person likes this
@imtiyaz40 (14)
• India
30 May 09
Everybody in this world should obey the laws of the country and also nature .so for i am concern your husband has done a good thing to return the money to the bank now he is without tension .The couple who have got overdraft through their bank will never remain happy and anyway or anyday they will be cought by the low and will go behind the bars.
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
30 May 09
As I said to another MyLotter earlier tempting as all that money was I prefer having a clear conscience and sleeping peacefully at night! Thanks for stopping by imtiyaz40!
1 person likes this
@ellie333 (21016)
•
30 May 09
Hi Paula, I think this couple were just greedy and stupid as $100,000 doesn't get you far these days anyway and sooner or later they are bound to be caught. Truth and honesty always wins at the end of the day so they should have notified the bank of their mistake and let them take back the money. They now when found will have a criminal record and also what about having to look looking behind themselves all the time, no life even with money. Huggles. Ellie :D
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
30 May 09
Hi ellie! They actually took 3 million out of the 10 that was mistakenly deposited and I cannot figure how they might have done it without it being traced; it has been on the news that the Police still hasn't caught up with them! According to the Facebook entry they may be in China and as Aussies said, that kind of money would guarantee lifelong security in China!
1 person likes this
@onedaysoon (651)
• United States
30 May 09
I would not take it. I would probably call the bank and let them know. For one thing it would be stealing, because it is not your money it just happened to be a mistake. Sadly finders keepers would not hold up in court :o). Also, like you mentioned it is easily traceble or at least you would be. You would have to change your whole identity, looks everything, even that would not be easily fool proof.
The best thing to do is just laugh at the error and move on with the little money you actually have. I have never had anything like that happen to me. I wish a real windfall would happen.. That would be nice .
.2 people like this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
30 May 09
It would be nice to receive a nice lump sum by honest means! I would return the money too. This family is still on the run and I believe they have children although I'm not sure how many and I have to wonder if all that money is worth them living a life on the run because as you said legally it is not a case of finders keepers, that's for sure! Thanks for the response onedaysoon!
1 person likes this
@rexertea (117)
• India
30 May 09
It has never happened to me but I Think I will pay back the money. there are few reasons why I think so. Firstly, you cannot run away easily with such a huge amount. secondly, I had seen, money that you get from illegal means never stays for long and moreover, it brings grievances in life. The curse of illegal money is very harmful and dangerous. so better stay away from it.
2 people like this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
30 May 09
I agree, the consequences of running away would not be worth the amount of money. Wise response, thanks rexertea!
2 people like this
@balasri (26537)
• India
30 May 09
I don't believe in running away with the money which doesn't belong to us.I just can live in peace with the guilt and the fear of getting traced and humiliated.It is not the money.At first I won't even tempted to do that.I am a easy going person with a satisfied mind.God has been kind enough to me.I am positive that I am going to go places they way I am.
1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
30 May 09
That is a great way to look at your life balasri. I feel the same, as I mentioned to others, I am glad my husband alerted his work of the salary error and willingly returned the money, we sleep a lot better because of his honest actions.
@justinus (1104)
• Karawaci, Indonesia
1 Jun 09
Wow, that very big money, I am perhaps will be tempted to do the similar with this New Zealander, or at least I will negotiate to the bank my share, at least 20% hehehe, it was the bnak's mistake, yaaa but sometime we need more money but sometimes we are not allowed to take this "not good" advantage, but I am sure this couple can be trace whitin times as long as their first data was complete including their family and relative, but I doubt that this couple was included to crime, because they only "take an advantage" which came to their life, and perhaps they indeed money also for their healt for instance. But I am also wondering, can it consider as God's Bless or help!? thanks for your interesting topic so that I can keep send any post...
@justinus (1104)
• Karawaci, Indonesia
1 Jun 09
ok Paula I agree with you, my first response was not very seriously thought before and I was typing also in a hurry, because I am now targeting at least 10 posts a day. See as more than 3 years member of myLot I posted only around 400 and collected $8.3, I want get my first $10 in this next 2 months... hahaha ... what a pity justinus who is runing after ten dollars for more 3 years compared to this New Zealand couples who got millions for several seconds, oh my God thanks you for this miracles.
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
1 Jun 09
It wouldn't be a bad idea to ask the bank for compensation but I doubt that they would agree somehow! I don't think that this money will be a blessing even if they get away with it, thanks for the response justinus!
@Little_Stormy (6883)
• United States
30 May 09
I have to say that there is no way that I could keep something that wasn't mine.. no matter how bad I needed it. I can't find money that I don't try to find the owner.. I always worry that it's someone's last bit of money and that it would hurt them if it wasn't returned.. I've found credit cards and money and even a huge diamond ring.. luckily I was always able to find the owner.
1 person likes this
@Little_Stormy (6883)
• United States
31 May 09
I haven't seen it! but I will help ya look for it!
what color was it?! can you describe it? what was it made of? 
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
31 May 09
Good on you stormy,
I often feel for the person who has lost the item whenever I find anything because I had my purse stolen once and I tell you it was an awful feeling especially when I had a fortnight's pay in it.
I only withdraw the pays once a fortnight and of course it had to happen then! Good on you for being one of those nice people who make an effort to return things. I wonder how far these runaway people will get... Thanks for stopping by!
I often feel for the person who has lost the item whenever I find anything because I had my purse stolen once and I tell you it was an awful feeling especially when I had a fortnight's pay in it. I only withdraw the pays once a fortnight and of course it had to happen then! Good on you for being one of those nice people who make an effort to return things. I wonder how far these runaway people will get... Thanks for stopping by!
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
1 Jun 09
There was one time I was credited a couple of hundred or it may have been 1000, in any case, I told my grandfather and he went up there with me to straighten the matter out. I felt better about it because I knew it wasn't my money. The bank I banked at had a lot of elderly people going to it, and some were rich but others not. Either way, I knew it would come back to haunt me! To be honest, I wasn't sure what was going on on my statement, but I didn't think I'd deposited that much! lol!
1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
9 Jun 09
Lol, I must have sounded like I didn't know anything about banking, I couldn't remember how much I had deposited, but I think it was 10.00, lol, yes it's better to tell the truth. Well I appreciate the comment back to me.
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
2 Jun 09
I know what I have in the bank to the last cent so I would definitely know if I had deposited a large sum! It is always best to return money that is not ours, more peace of mind, thanks Cowgirl!
1 person likes this
@jdyrj777 (6528)
• United States
1 Jun 09
Once this job i had paid me 8 hrs over time that i didnt work. I reported it. The following paycheck had 16 hours overtime. I reported it again. The next paycheck also had 16 hours overtime. The last time i didnt report it, then it stopped. I never had to return anything.
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
2 Jun 09
Wow, it sure looks like they just want to pay you more! Well you did the right thing and reported it, if they didn't act on it, you can't be blamed can you?
@sanuanu (11235)
• India
31 May 09
It has happened with my family though(although after wards we get to know that it was a legit money). Well, they were scared how come I get that money in my bank account. They called me(as I was living in a different town then). I came home and enquired about it from bank and got to know that it was a money from my Provident fund which came in my account earlier than I expected.
When I let them know that it was a legit money, they were so very relived!
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
31 May 09
There's nothing like a good honest windfall! It is an entirely different feeling spending money that is rightfully yours. It is not worth the consequences of running away with funds that don't belong to you. Thanks for the response sanuanu!
1 person likes this
@sulynsi (2671)
• Canada
30 May 09
I have had this happen to me, quite recently actually. I never really thought about it. I saw the error and figured they made a keying error, or I was reading the report incorrectly.
When I asked them about it, they seemed to think that I had forgotten that I had deposited the money. I laughed and said that I know my memory isn't what it used to be, but if I deposit 10 dollars to my account, I know about it, believe me, I would KNOW if I deposited over 2 grand!!!
I joked with them, saying, hey, if you really WANT to give me that as a credit, I'd be more than delighted to accept, but I really think they need to recheck their records.
Of course, as soon as they double checked, the credit disappeared. Rats. I was kind of hoping that I'd had a serious blonde moment.
Oh well, at least I can still look at myself in the mirror! lol
1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
30 May 09
That's the way I see it, it is nice for the conscience to be clear! I enjoyed the 56 grand in my account for a couple of days too! Thanks sulynsi!
@cajandabcecilia (169)
• Philippines
30 May 09
Having known good and bad karma, i would do what i think is right and just.
I would immediately report it to the bank rather than spending money that I do not own. God sees us in everything we do. He is righteous and just.
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
30 May 09
Yes you do have to live with your decision and it is definitely much more positive karma to do the right thing. I don't think I would enjoy living on the run anyway. Thanks cajandabcecilia!
1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
3 Jun 09
I agree no amount is worth that. It would be nice if banks rewarded customers who return excess funds, but I bet they never will! Thanks mjhicks!
@gtdonna (1738)
•
9 Jun 09
I would give it back, you can run but you can't hide and it would be so much more embarassing because the Police will publish your name and when you do return home in handcuffs, you will be ashamed to show your face around your neighbourhood. So nope, the money si going back.
However, there was a case in Italy where when the ATM convert to Euros, people who went for 50 got 100, that is the machine give them 2 50 bills. There was nothing the bank could do because their withdrawal receipts showed the correct amount of money withdrawn. They only knew something was wrong because peopel were flocking to the machine and the guard got alarmed. By then it was too late, the ATM was almost out of service.
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
9 Jun 09
I wish I could find such an ATM!(LOL) Just joking! Keeping money that is not yours is not worth the consequences of getting a criminal record over, that's for sure!You are right; you can run but you can't hide! Thanks for responding gtdonna!
Just joking! Keeping money that is not yours is not worth the consequences of getting a criminal record over, that's for sure!You are right; you can run but you can't hide! Thanks for responding gtdonna!
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
7 Oct 09
I know what you mean, to me it would not be worth the embarrassment and humiliation of getting sprung and knowing my luck I would not get away with it! Thanks dawn!
1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
3 Jun 09
I think that would be the safest, honest option that you could live with comfortably! Thanks for responding bestboy19!
@EliteUser (3964)
• Australia
30 Sep 09
Hey,
Well I actually don't really know, but I think that I would simply just tell the bank, because sooner or later they will eventually find out, so then it isn't worth it to keep the money, because you will eventually have to forfeit it. Make sure you have a good day, God bless and Happy Lotting!!
1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
30 Sep 09
That's how I see it too. No point succumbing to temptation because the Bank will catch on sooner or later and the windfall will be lost. Not worth it, may as well report it immediately. Thanks for responding Elite User!
@ronnyb (6113)
• Jamaica
7 Oct 09
I could sure do with one hundred thousand dollars right now and even need more .I have several bills to pay and many places I would liek to visit .However inspite of how far it would advance my life I would have rather earned it the honest way and I have two reasons for this ,firstly I like to look at my achievemnet with pride knowing it was done through my input rather than having it clouded by dishonesty.Secondly I like to sleep without having to keep an eye out for police or having to look over my shoulder every minute ,what the sense in having all that money and cant thoroughly enjoy it for fear of being caught.
Great discussion Paula
1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
8 Oct 09
I like to sleep at night too ronnyb! My conscience would not allow me to get away with it and I would more than likely be caught straight away, I would not make a very good criminal! (LOL)Thanks a lot for your response, I appreciate it.
