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

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

The man is unlikely to be able to return the money transferred to him in error by the town of Abu, Yamaguchi Prefecture, in accordance with his lawyer, who said a resolution by way of litigation is being considered.

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

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

Last Thursday, the city sued the person for round 51 million yen for the complete return of the funds plus authorized charges. According to the town, the man had refused to return the money, 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 grew to become unreachable after the town filed the lawsuit towards him, saying that police had stored his cellphone following voluntary questioning in April and Might.

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

Your entire amount was transferred to the man's checking account on April 8.