Man mistakenly despatched 46.3 mil. yen in COVID funds gambles it all away

A 24-year-old man mistakenly despatched 46.3 million yen ($360,000) in COVID-19 aid cash by the western Japan town he resides in, says he gambled it all away on overseas casino websites, sources near the matter mentioned Tuesday.

The person is unlikely to have the ability to return the money transferred to him in error by the city of Abu, Yamaguchi Prefecture, based on his lawyer, who stated a resolution by means of litigation is being considered.

Abu Mayor Norihiko Hanada speaks to reporters on Might 12, 2022, on the Abu city workplace in Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan. (Kyodo)

Speaking at a press convention Monday, the lawyer mentioned the man had advised him that he had moved the cash out of his account utilizing his smartphone. The lawyer mentioned that the person lives alone and no one else is believed to be involved within the matter.

Last Thursday, the town sued the person for round 51 million yen for the full return of the funds plus authorized fees. In line with the city, the person had refused to return the money, saying it was "moved from my account and can't be returned. I will atone for my sins."

The person's lawyer has refuted claims that he grew to become unreachable after the town filed the lawsuit in opposition to him, saying that police had saved his telephone following voluntary questioning in April and May.

On April 6, after procedures to transfer 100,000 yen in COVID-19 reduction money to every of the 463 low-income households in Abu had been completed, a town official mistakenly submitted a single transfer request to a financial establishment for 46.3 million yen for the person whose title was at the top of the record.

Your complete amount was transferred to the person's checking account on April 8.