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Government Error Sends Fortune By Mistake And Woman Spends It All In Hours, Causing Judicial Scandal In Argentina
According to information from El Pais, Argentine Verónica Acosta was expecting a routine alimony transfer of 8,000 pesos, around R$ 40, but was surprised by an administrative error from the government of the province of San Luis, Argentina.
Instead of the expected amount, she received over 500 million Argentine pesos, around US$ 428 thousand, roughly R$ 2.4 million.
Update On The Story⬇️
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Not understanding immediately what had happened, she spent the money in a few hours.
Immediate Purchases And Transfers
The unexpected deposit occurred on May 6. As soon as she saw the amount in her account, Acosta started a marathon of purchases and transfers.
In total, she made 66 banking transactions.
Among the items purchased were a refrigerator, two televisions, a microwave, a fryer, household utensils, ceramic tiles, a toilet seat, and even a car.
In addition, she distributed part of the amount among family members. According to information from the newspaper La República, Acosta shared the resources with five relatives, all now identified as accomplices in the process.
Government Quick Action
The error was quickly noticed by the treasurer responsible for the payment, who notified the authorities.
The provincial government acted to block Acosta’s account and initiated an operation to recover the amounts. According to the authorities, over 90% of the money was recovered.
Part of the amounts was returned voluntarily.
The remainder was located in accounts that ended up being blocked.
As all the transactions were made digitally, traceability continues in virtual wallets seized by the Justice.
Photo: La Nación/X.
Opening Of Case And Accusations
After the identification of those involved, the Justice ordered the indictment of Verónica Acosta and her five relatives for fraud against the State, undue retention of public funds, and other related crimes. According to the case prosecutor, Daniela Torres, the accused tried to “Quickly Empty The Account For Their Own Benefit“.
The substitute judge Antonela Panero determined that the six accused could avoid imprisonment by paying a bail of 30 million Argentine pesos, about US$ 26 thousand, within three business days. Otherwise, they will be subject to preventive detention.
Defense Argues State Error
Acosta’s defense disagrees with the accusations. Lawyer Hernán Echevarría classified the bail as “exorbitant and impossible to pay.”
He stated that his clients are humble people, with no criminal record, and did not act in bad faith.
“This is not a network of fraudsters. It was a mistake of the State. Now they are trying to turn these six people into criminals,” declared Echevarría to the local press.
Woman’s Version
Verónica Acosta also gave her version of the events. She explained that she was waiting for the alimony payment from her son’s father, in the amount of 8,000 pesos. When she saw the money in the account, she initially thought it was 500,000 pesos.
“Then I realized it was millions. I thought it was a gift from God,” she said.
She stated that she was in need and used the money to solve urgent problems and help her family. “I bought things that had already been returned and I also shared them with my family. I went to the supermarket twice, bought appliances, and then came back,” she recounted.
In the end, she listed the items purchased: “A refrigerator, two televisions (one for me and another for my sister-in-law), a fryer, a microwave, household utensils, ceramic tiles, a toilet seat, and a car.”
Acosta reiterated that she did not know the amount came from the provincial government. “I used it for urgent needs,” she concluded.
The Justice now decides if the accused will respond to the case at liberty. The case is ongoing and has stirred public opinion in Argentina.
Received A Transfer By Mistake? Spending The Amount May Be A Crime In Brazil
Receiving money by mistake in a bank account may seem like luck, but in Brazil, this is serious business. If a person uses the amount without authorization, they may be committing a crime.
According to the Brazilian Penal Code, appropriating an amount received by mistake constitutes embezzlement, as stated in Article 169.
This means that, even if the money has “fallen from the sky,” it has an owner. Using the amount without returning it is illegal. The penalty can be detention from one month to one year, or a fine, in addition to the obligation to return the amount.
The Brazilian Justice already has clear decisions on this topic. In January 2025, for example, a man was ordered to return R$ 4 thousand that he received via Pix by mistake. He refused to refund the amount and ended up being sentenced judicially.
In addition to the criminal aspect, there are also civil consequences. The Civil Code states that no one can enrich themselves without cause. This means that, even if the amount is small or has already been used, the person is still obligated to return it. Spending the money does not eliminate this debt.
If you receive an undue transfer, the best thing to do is not to move the amount. Notify the bank immediately. Most apps offer the option to return the Pix with just a few clicks.
De início eu näo devolveria. Aguardaria a gritaria…
Recebeu por engano ? Procure saber o que houve e não saia gastando. Não podemos usar o argumento que a pessoa é pobre. Gastar quase 3 milhoes em 1 dia, isso é má fé.
Aqui no Brasil roubaram milhões dos aposentados, é até agora não devolveram nada , é os **** estão todos de boa ,esse é o país dos sonhos do lula e do STF.