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Million-Dollar Refund, Psychological Pressure, and Legal Dispute Surround the Case of a Driver Who Received R$ 131 Million by Mistake from the Bank and Now Seeks a Million-Dollar Indemnity.
In June 2023, the tour driver Antônio Pereira do Nascimento, a resident of Palmas, experienced an unlikely episode when he opened the banking app and found just over R$ 131.8 million credited to his account.
The amount had been mistakenly sent by Bradesco. The refund occurred within a few hours, initiated by the client himself.
However, according to a report published by g1, the case unfolded into psychological strain, financial losses, and later a legal action in which he seeks over R$ 13 million in reward and compensation.
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Million-Dollar Deposit and Banking Error
The unexpected credit was noticed when Antônio accessed the account where he previously had only R$ 227.
The amount of R$ 131,870,227.00 was intended for another financial institution but was mistakenly linked to the driver’s CPF due to an internal bank error.
According to investigations by g1, Antônio reported that he had never seen such a figure and commented that he would only come into contact with such an amount if he won the Mega-Sena lottery.
The refund occurred a few hours later, still on the same day.
The driver’s defense argues that the amount did not belong to other clients or third parties, but to Bradesco itself, which, in the lawyers’ view, reinforces the good faith of someone who decided to notify and refund the deposit as soon as he realized the mistake.
What the Law Says About Money Received by Mistake
The erroneous transfer was attributed to an operational error in the banking system.
Bradesco only stated that it does not comment on ongoing lawsuits, a position maintained since the case gained attention again in early 2025.
Brazilian legislation dictates that anyone who receives money by mistake must return it.
If one chooses to use it or does not return it, they risk facing embezzlement charges in the criminal sphere and unjust enrichment charges in the civil sphere.
Legal experts interviewed by media outlets explain that the return is not only mandatory but must occur as soon as the account holder realizes the irregularity.
In the lawsuit, Antônio’s lawyers argue that by notifying the error and cooperating with the refund, he fully complied with what the law requires.
The legal strategy claims there is support in Article 1,234 of the Civil Code, which provides for a reward for anyone who returns “found property,” an argument used to justify the request for 10% of the returned amount.
Psychological Pressure, Increased Fees, and Reported Repercussions
Although the refund was immediate, the consequences came afterward.
In an interview with g1, Antônio mentioned that he was subjected to intense pressure from the branch manager to expedite the return, even after he had already informed them of the mistake.
He reported that the employee suggested that bank representatives might come to his home, which made him feel treated like a suspect.
The incident also reportedly caused financial impact.
The driver stated that his account was automatically categorized into a higher fee category, resulting in a charge of around R$ 70.
He mentioned at the time that “honest people in Brazil pay to be honest,” referring to travel, loss of a workday, and new fees after the refund.
The bank, however, claims that there was no charge related to the incident.
The driver’s lawyers emphasize that the case caused emotional distress and unwanted exposure.
The national media attention led to details about his life circulating widely, increasing concerns about risks to his family’s safety.
Requests for Reward and Compensation in Court
The legal action began in July 2024 in the 6th Civil Court of Palmas.
In it, Antônio asks Bradesco to pay 10% of the amount that entered his account, which exceeds R$ 13 million, in addition to R$ 150,000 for moral damages.
The defense claims that the situation went beyond an administrative error and became a source of embarrassment, psychological pressure, and involuntary public exposure.
Furthermore, according to information presented by g1, there were no proposals for settlement from the bank during the initial hearings.
Witnesses were nominated by both parties, and the case has entered the evidence analysis phase.
The process is awaiting the scheduling of the instruction hearing, in which the judge is expected to hear from those involved before rendering a verdict.
National Impact and Effects on the Driver’s Routine
Shortly after the incident, in August 2023, the story of honesty caught the attention of the Domingão program, hosted by Luciano Huck, on TV Globo.
Antônio participated in a segment where he recalled the shock of seeing the million-dollar balance and the decision to contact the bank.
The repercussions amplified the narrative that he acted correctly, but also made his routine more exposed, as observed by g1 in various reports covering the case.
In addition to the sudden notoriety, the situation sparked curiosity from neighbors and strangers, creating discomfort that, according to the defense, contributed to the worsening emotional impact.
While the Justice system does not decide whether the driver is entitled to the reward and indemnity, the case continues to fuel an ongoing debate: should banks formally recognize those who return million-dollar amounts sent by mistake, or is the legal obligation sufficient to close the matter?
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