A Case of Mistaken Fortune
In May 2021, a couple from Melbourne found themselves on the wrong side of a financial fairy tale. Thevamanogari Manivel initiated a transaction that would later spark a legal disaster when she tried to transfer a modest 100 AU$ to her partner, Jatinder Singh’s Crypto.com account. However, instead of a polite refund for their insignificant deposit, the exchange accidentally dumped a staggering 10.5 million AU$ (around $6.7 million) into Manivel’s account. Talk about a computer glitch that could make any IT professional weep!
The Spending Spree
For a brief and blissful moment, Manivel and Singh were living in a dream. The funds weren’t just a blip in their bank account; they went full steam ahead on a shopping spree worthy of a reality TV show. Reports suggest the couple splurged on:
- Four houses, including a five-bedroom gem in Craigieburn valued at 1.35 million AU$.
- Expensive vehicles that surely turned a few heads.
- A generous 4 million AU$ wired to a Malaysian bank account, reaching beyond Australian shores.
Who knew love could be so… costly?
The Discovery and Fallout
As with most things that seem too good to be true, reality struck back in December 2021 when Crypto.com discovered the colossal error during their annual audit. Unsurprisingly, the multi-million-dollar gift didn’t go unnoticed, and the exchange promptly demanded the funds back.
The Victoria Supreme Court supported the claim, insisting the money should be returned, effectively turning the couple’s lavish lifestyle into a dramatic courtroom saga. In the continuum of love stories, this one rates quite high on the absurdity scale!
The Prize That Wasn’t
In a desperate attempt to rationalize their spending, the couple argued in court that they believed the funds were a prize from Crypto.com. Singh even claimed he received a notification about a competition. However, the plot thickened when Michi Chan Fores, a compliance officer at the exchange, debunked this notion, explaining that such a prize didn’t exist. Sorry folks, there’s no free money here!
Legal Consequences and Ongoing Trials
The legal adventure didn’t stop there. Manivel recently faced the music. Pleading guilty to recklessly dealing with the proceeds of crime, she was handed an 18-month community corrections order. This includes six months of intensive compliance, unpaid community service, and her previous 209 days spent locked up. Talk about adding insult to injury! Meanwhile, Singh prepares for his own plea trial set for October 23.
The Lesson Learned
While this story has all the elements of a modern legend—money, love, and a touch of absurdity—it serves as a reminder: always double-check those banking details, folks! And as for Manivel and Singh, perhaps next time they might want to stick to reality shows where mistakes are merely entertaining rather than criminal.
