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Verónica Acosta Received an Erroneous Transfer of R$ 2.4 Million from the Government of San Luis, Spent the Amount in a Few Hours, and is Now Facing a Fraud Lawsuit.
We had already told here the unusual story of the Argentine woman who mistakenly received a millionaire fortune in her bank account. Now, the case has had important new developments and has turned into a legal scandal in the country.
As reported by El País, Acosta was expecting to receive the usual 8,000 pesos related to child support for one of her children but was surprised by a bank transfer of more than 500 million Argentine pesos. Converted, the amount is approximately R$ 2.45 million.
Click here to remember the original story with all the details about how the mistake happened, what Acosta said to the press, and what was known up to that point.
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Erroneous Transfer Causes Confusion
According to the woman, she was expecting the routine transfer of the alimony, as happened every month. However, when she accessed her bank account, she encountered a much larger number than expected.
“I thought it was 500 thousand pesos, but then I realized it was millions,” she told in an interview with FM Latina radio.
According to her, there was no clear sender in the transaction, only the word “Data“, which left her confused about the origins of the amount.
Out of doubt, and living in a situation of financial need, she decided to start spending. She thought it was a mistake that would soon be corrected, but as long as the money was available, she used it. “I thought it was a gift from God. I used it for urgent needs,” she said.
Purchases and 66 Transfers in a Few Hours
The transactions began right after the deposit. In total, Acosta made 66 banking operations.
She bought home items like a refrigerator, two televisions, a microwave, a fryer, ceramics, and even a toilet seat.
She also purchased a car. Part of the funds was transferred to family members. According to reports from the Argentine press, at least five relatives received significant amounts.
She reported making two trips to the supermarket and tried to transfer part of the amount to her account in the app.
The intention was to confirm whether the amount was valid. Since the bank did not block it immediately, she continued shopping. The next day, however, the accounts were frozen, and the Justice Department ordered searches at her address.
Government Acts Quickly to Recover Erroneous Transfer Amounts
The error was detected by the treasurer of the government of San Luis, responsible for the banking operation.
As soon as he noticed the undue amount, he notified the authorities. Immediately, the process of blocking Acosta’s accounts began. Most of the money, over 90%, was recovered.
Some amounts were returned voluntarily. Others were in accounts and digital wallets that were blocked by court order. Tracking is still ongoing to locate the remainder.
Indictment for State Fraud
The provincial Justice Department opened proceedings against Verónica Acosta and the five family members who received part of the money.
All were indicted for fraud against the State, unlawful possession of public funds, and other financial crimes.
The prosecutor responsible for the case, Daniela Torres, stated that the accused tried to quickly empty the account for their own benefit.
The prosecutor’s words were direct: “This was a criminal maneuver. They knew what they were doing and rushed to use the money before it was blocked.”
Meanwhile, substitute judge Antonela Panero determined that the six accused could avoid preventive detention if they paid a bail of 30 million Argentine pesos, equivalent to US$ 26,000, within three business days.
Defense Claims Good Faith and Questions the Accusation
Acosta’s lawyer, Hernán Echeverría, presented a defense based on the client’s good faith. According to him, there was no criminal intent. “She did not commit fraud. She was the holder of the accounts and cards used. The charge of fraud does not apply,” he said.
According to the defense, the amount appeared in the account without any warning, identification, or immediate blocking, which reinforces the argument that the client did not understand the gravity of the situation. “There was no communication of default or error. She was not alerted, just saw the money and used it,” he claimed.
The defense also stated that the involved relatives did not act together as a gang.
They were humble people, without a criminal record, who acted impulsively. “They are being treated like common criminals, but it was a mistake by the State, which now wants to hold these people responsible,” the lawyer told the local press.
Freezing of Assets and Seizure of Goods
After Acosta’s expenditures, the government of San Luis ordered the freezing of bank accounts and the confiscation of assets.
Searches were conducted at the homes of the woman and her relatives. The products purchased with the undue funds were seized.
According to the authorities, all involved were identified, including relatives who received transfers. The names of the accused were also disclosed: Nicolás Gil, Margarita Quiroga, Marina Gil, Cintia Gil, and Milagros Gil.
The process is now ongoing in the Justice Department, with the possibility of imprisonment if the bail amount is not paid within the established time frame. The prosecution emphasizes that the case needs to serve as a lesson and alert for the management of public funds.
Public Reaction and Local Repercussions
The case gained traction on social media and in newspapers in Argentina. Many users questioned the speed with which the State acted to recover the funds and the severity applied to those involved.
Others highlighted the risk of normalizing the misuse of public funds, even if due to administrative error.
FM Latina radio and the newspaper La República closely followed the developments. They reported that despite the initial impact, most of the amount was recovered without the need for judicial intervention in all cases.
Some of Acosta’s relatives returned the amounts voluntarily, without resistance.
Bail Difficult to Pay
The amount required for bail generated controversy. The 30 million pesos requested by the Justice Department were considered high by the defense.
Acosta’s lawyer stated that the accused could not afford to pay and classified the requirement as “exorbitant and impossible to meet.”
In light of this, the defense filed a motion to reduce the amount. It argued that the accused have a fixed residence, are first-time offenders, and cooperated with the return of the amounts.
They also did not display violent behavior or attempt to flee.
The Public Ministry, for its part, reinforced that the bail is proportional to the gravity of the incident and the amount moved in a short time. According to the prosecutor, the main goal was to “use as much of the money as possible before the mistake was corrected.”
Acosta Relates the Moment of Arrest Due to the Erroneous Transfer
In an interview, Verónica Acosta revealed that she was arrested in front of her children, which left her shaken. “They came, handcuffed me, and took me to prison. My children saw everything. It was humiliating,” she said.
She also reported that some purchases made have already been returned.
She stated that she was aware that it was an unusual situation, but insisted that she was not sure it was public money. She reiterated that she used it to meet basic needs and help family members.
Authorities Continue Digital Tracking
As all transactions were made digitally, authorities are continuing to track the transactions. Part of the money is still in virtual wallets. The Justice Department ordered the blocking of these platforms to facilitate reimbursement.
The operation involves various institutions of the government of San Luis, with support from the banking system and digital payment companies. The goal is to ensure that the unduly transferred amount returns to the public coffers.
The case is still in progress. The priority now is to recover 100% of the erroneous transfer amount. The Justice Department maintains the proceedings against Acosta and her relatives.
The decision on bail and possible imprisonments is expected to be made after the analysis of the appeals filed by the defense.
In the meantime, Verónica Acosta awaits the next steps of the Justice Department in freedom, with her accounts frozen, assets seized, and the media’s attention focused on the outcome of this unusual story—initiated by a mistake of R$ 2.4 million.
El poder siempre presionando al pueblo. Supongo que ella actuó para ganar, como hace el gobierno ahora contra ella… Acusaciones inapropiadas ya que ella solo es cumpable de aprovecharse del error ajeno. Y de contra le intenta extorsionar una fianza. Necesitarmos un rey que tema a Dios. No esta mierdera de politicos y funcionarios mediocres y corruptos.
Yo pieno la misma cosa. Ya acadio conmigo de una empresa transferir un valor a mi. Pero con eso error, yo he sacado todo el diñero. Despuès, me han pedido el diñero de vuelta. Yo he pagado cada més un poco hasta que he quitado todo el valor. Sín problemas para la compania o para mi.
Duas questões:
Primeira: Na conta de quem esse tesoureiro do governo Milei estava buscando enviar essa fortuna quando errou de destinatário ???
Segunda:
Porque a justiça nesse caso prendeu de imediato a destinatária errada, mas no passado recente poupou Milei no escândalo do estelionato por meio do lançamento da criptomoeda fajuta argentina ?
Vc deve ser **** e não sabe ler
“Governo de San Luis o responsável pela transferência” da onde tu tirou Milei
Por isso 1/3 dos Brasileiros são analfabetos funcionais que não conseguem ler e entender textos.
Sempre há uma gd para passar pano para extrema e medíocre direita.
O fato é que foi gerência pública e, nesse caso a União; o que dá nas mesma md.
” O Sistema fede, independente de qual lugar for no mundo!”
Eles nos saqueiam… Agora, vai aplicar a reciprocidade pra ver!
Sempre há um gd para passar pano para extrema e medíocre direita.
O fato é que foi gerência pública e, nesse caso a União.
– O Sistema fede, independente de qual lugar for no mundo!
Eles nos saqueiam… Agora, vai aplicar a reciprocidade pra ver!