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 relief cash by the western Japan town he resides in, says he gambled it all away on overseas on line casino websites, sources close to the matter stated Tuesday.

The person is unlikely to have the ability to return the money transferred to him in error by the town of Abu, Yamaguchi Prefecture, in response to his lawyer, who stated a resolution by litigation is being thought of.

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

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

Final Thursday, the city sued the man for around 51 million yen for the total return of the funds plus legal fees. Based on the town, the person had refused to return the money, saying it was "moved from my account and cannot be returned. I will atone for my sins."

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

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

The whole amount was transferred to the man's bank account on April 8.