Billions on your bank account by error, would YOU tell?

[Chemical Ollie]

A few years ago, a Swedish social security client recieved a transfer of something like SEK 80 000 000 000 ($10 billion) due to a computer error at the social security office. She understood something was wrong and contacted the social security, that gladly took their money back. The client didn't even get to keep the accumulated interest, which would be SEK 15 million (2 M$) for a few days. Some people complained that she should get the interest as a reward for her honesty, but no.

What would you do if something like that happened to you?

You could be honest and just pay the money back and hope they will let you keep the interest.

Or you could quickly open a Swiss bank account, transfer all the money and escape the country before they figure it out. Then you could buy yourself a private island (like Jamaica) and live happily forever (or at least until they find you).

Or you could just transfer like 100 M$ and live low-profile jet-set life somewhere with lower risk of getting cought. Spend money on things you like: good food, golfing, fishing, art, hookers or whatever keeps you happy. Get a new identity and a good cover story, and transfer the money on to your credit card in several steps.

[Kontiki]

Not much point doing anything but telling. The government would discover its mistake pretty quickly, and it's easily traceable even if you did try to funnel it somewhere else.

[Dauphin]

I'm surprised the payment didn't bounce.

[MORON]

I wouldn't notice because I don't read my bank balance

[Dauphin]

The largest bank error I have seen processed was for around $200 million.

[Whoha]

I'd keep the interest but pay it back. its a hell of a lot of money and people tend to do bad things around it.

[OneFootInTheGrave]

I'd put a bet of 100 mill on a horse, a favourite and hope that he wins the race...

than if he loses... double on the next one... one is bound to win before I spend the whole 10 bn

and once I win put all the money back and keep the winnings

[KrazyHorse]

An error that large would never go unnoticed. And any attempt to transfer any significant amount out (more than a few thousand) would trigger immediate scrutiny by the original bank.

She would never be able to profit off this. Not in a million years. Nor should she be allowed to keep the accumulated interest. Perhaps she should be given a small reward (a thousand dollars?) for her honesty.

I'd keep the receipt holding an account balance the size of Canada's military budget for a year and then contact the SS office and the media.

[Richelieu]

Transfer the whole damn thing to the Cayman Islands, jump on a plane and live the rest of my life there.

[OneFootInTheGrave]

meh I have another idea and say "I will pay off all the debt of 50 poorest nations in the world" a miracle happened and this is my destiny to give it all for the benifit of the poor.

the heart of Swedish Minister of Finace would melt, and he would say "Keep the money and save the world"

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by Richelieu
Transfer the whole damn thing to the Cayman Islands, jump on a plane and live the rest of my life there.

How would you spend the 5 minutes between your attempted transfer and the moment police broke down your door?

[Chemical Ollie]

Originally posted by OneFootInTheGrave
I'd put a bet of 100 mill on a horse, a favourite and hope that he wins the race...

than if he loses... double on the next one... one is bound to win before I spend the whole 10 bn

and once I win put all the money back and keep the winnings

That idea crossed my mind too

I wonder what the government would do if (when) they found out? They got all their money back after all.

[OneFootInTheGrave]

edit: eh quote from KH is missing

I'd say - OK guys, I feel good today. Are you ready for retirement? ... a million to each of you to just let me know what are the Cayman Islands like.

[Richelieu]

Originally posted by KrazyHorse


How would you spend the 5 minutes between your attempted transfer and the moment police broke down your door?

This is Canada man. It'll take the RCMP at least 3 days to ask the FBI if this looks suspicious.

[KrazyHorse]

All of you seem to be ignoring the fact that there would be no way to withdraw 100 million dollars from your account. The bank just wouldn't let you have it. You'd request the wire transfer, the bank would call the SS office, they would tell them that the originaltransfer was a mistake, and the bank would put a freeze on your account.