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

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

The man is unlikely to have the ability to return the cash transferred to him in error by the town of Abu, Yamaguchi Prefecture, in line with his lawyer, who stated a decision by means of litigation is being thought of.

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

Speaking at a press convention Monday, the lawyer stated the man had informed him that he had moved the cash out of his account using his smartphone. The lawyer stated that the man lives alone and no one else is believed to be concerned in the matter.

Final Thursday, the town sued the person for around 51 million yen for the complete return of the funds plus authorized fees. In keeping with the city, the person had refused to return the cash, saying it was "moved from my account and can't be returned. I'll atone for my sins."

The person's lawyer has refuted claims that he became unreachable after the town filed the lawsuit towards him, saying that police had saved his telephone following voluntary questioning in April and Might.

On April 6, after procedures to transfer 100,000 yen in COVID-19 aid cash to every of the 463 low-income households in Abu had been accomplished, a town official mistakenly submitted a single switch request to a monetary institution for 46.3 million yen for the person whose title was at the high of the list.

The entire quantity was transferred to the man's bank account on April 8.