Overnight Multi-Millionaire New Zealand Couple Disappeared Into Thin Air

That's exactly what the New Zealand owners of a service station did. When they made an application to Westpac Bank for NZ$10,000 overdraft, they received 1,000 times more than they asked for, making it 10 million. Don't you wish that was your bank clerk?

That's what New Zealand gas station owners did. The applied to Westpac Bank for NZ$10,000 overdraft, but instead received 1,000 times more, thrusting the account balance to 10 million. Don’t we all wish that had been our bank clerk?

Westpac says it deems the money 'stolen;, but does admit it was human error that made the unsuspecting couple overnight unplanned multi-millionaires.

The couple quickly scarpered after transferring some of the money. Westpac quickly grabbed back what was left behind in the bank account and were able to recover another $2.8 million. Westpac Bank said it is "Pursuing vigorous criminal and civil action to try to recover the sum of money stolen", but rejected making any further comment.

The police launched an international search for the couple, according to Detective Senior Sgt. David Harvey. He said Interpol was asked to assist.

Long time banking Ombudsman Liz Brown, said, "It is generally considered a criminal offense for people to spend money accidentally deposited into a bank account if they are aware that the cash is not theirs". Brown said she has only seen 10 – 20 similar cases, in her 15 years as ombudsman.

However, it is possible someone hacked into the account and transferred funds to a Swiss bank account. After all the bank can go into your account and 'steal' the money in the name of fees any time it feels like it. Manipulation of bank accounts, creating false overdrafts, in order to 'steal' customer cash through intimidating bank fees, is certainly a common practice.

Why can't you turn the tables if the bank decides to put in the wrong amount? After all, how many times have you had the bank deduct something twice, throw the account into overdraft, then fiercely argue with about correcting the problem? Or you put money into your account, so it won't go into overdraft, yet still you are charged with overdraft fees, because the bank claims the amounts didn’t meet.

"This is not the first time I had a bank mistake in my favour. Around five years ago a bank deposited my cheque twice. I let the money simply sit there for three months before going out and spending it", reports one disgruntled customer. At the end of the three months the money is legally yours. Also, did you know the bank can legally take up to three months to settle a problem?

Even though the bank attempts to legally charge customers who spend money the bank claims is not theirs, when it has been put in the account wrongly, it is widely known that the ‘Bank’ is the world's largest legal thief. And gets away with it!  No wonder, most of us had a secret desire to "Kill the bank manager"!