A Brazilian driver was left astonished when he discovered his bank balance had skyrocketed from a mere $46 to a staggering $26.7 million due to a banking error.
This sudden windfall, equivalent to roughly 132 million Brazilian reais, left him initially shocked and overwhelmed.
The man’s bank balance went from $46 to $26.7 million overnight
Antonio Pereira, a resident of Praia Grande in São Paulo state, had deposited a smaller sum into his bank account, expecting no more than a routine transaction.
However, an unforeseen glitch caused the bank to credit his bank account with millions of dollars instead.
“When I saw the amount, I got scared. There were so many zeroes,” Pereira recounted in disbelief.
‘And I’ll never get it in my life, only if I win in the Mega Sena, and I don’t play,’ he added.
He decided to return the money to the legal owner
Antônio Pereira, a trustworthy individual, immediately realized that the money did not belong to him and made the right decision.
Instead of being tempted and seizing the opportunity to change his life forever, Pereira chose to do what was right.
He promptly contacted his local bank, where he had been a loyal customer for 25 years. He informed them about the situation and returned the money.
“I went to my house and told my wife, ‘We got rich.’
But immediately my wife also said, ‘Let’s give it back,'” Pereira recalled.
The unexpected surge in his bank balance was far beyond anything he could have imagined. In a matter of moments, he had become a multimillionaire on paper.
The error quickly drew the attention of Pereira’s bank, which promptly acknowledged the mistake and began working to rectify it.
Officials assured him that the astronomical sum was deposited in error and would be corrected.
Despite the initial shock, Pereira maintained a calm demeanor, understanding that such errors can occur in banking systems.
“I knew it wasn’t mine. It was very clear that it wasn’t mine. It was a mistake,” Pereira clarified, showing his honesty and integrity in the face of an extraordinary situation.
He cooperated fully with the bank’s efforts to reverse the erroneous transaction.
Reflecting on the experience, Pereira expressed gratitude that the issue was resolved swiftly and without any lasting repercussions.
“I thought it was good that it didn’t go to the wrong person, someone who could have vanished with it,” he remarked, highlighting the potential risks involved in such situations.
Pereira will face trouble if he illegally seizes the sum
In Brazil, lawyer Paula Dângelo clarified that Pereira must return all the money, even if the bank made a mistake.
“Even if you’re happy about it, it’s a crime to use that money,” Dângelo said.
She added that someone could get in trouble with the law if they spent the money.
Brazilian law is like U.S. law. If someone doesn’t report a bank mistake, they might have to pay back the money or face charges.
Social media reaction
On social media, many online users applauded the man’s right action as suddenly receiving a huge sum.
If you’re honest about it and let the bank know they may let you keep it . I once had £29 in my bank and I knew that I only should have had £28.99 . I phoned the bank and after a couple of hours waiting they said you can keep the fecking penny. Honestly pays, one user shared.
I’d pull out as much as I could and leave the country, the second user commented.
Not mistake. It was sent on purpose, the third user said.
They should have given him a handsome reward for his decency and honesty. He could have run and spent a lot of it if he wanted to. Says in the story though hes got 4 children and many Grandchildren. Too much to stay for that no amount of money pays for, another wrote.
I wish my bank made that error. I’d so skip the country, someone wrote.