We all love free money, and so did Sibongile Mani, a South African student.
So one day when she realised that there were 14 million rands (approximately ₹6.3 crore) in her bank account, she decided to make the best use of it.
As a student, she was entitled to a stipend of 1,400 rands (approximately ₹6,000) per month.
But due to some clerical error on the bank's side, a whopping 14 million rands (approximately ₹6.3 crore) got credited to Mani's account.
Instead of reporting this to the bank, Mani decided to keep the money and make the most of the opportunity.
We all love free money, and so did Sibongile Mani, a South African student. So one day when she realised that there were 14 million rands (approximately ₹6.3 crore) in her bank account, she decided to make the best use of it. The 32-year-old went on the shopping spree of her life, buying everything she ever wanted -- from designer clothes to the latest iPhone and expensive bottles of liquor.
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Shopping with free money
She even threw lavish parties for her friends and was having the time of her life. Then one day everything came crashing down after the bank noticed unusually high transactions from her account. Soon her dream turned into a nightmare, and she was arrested on charges of theft.
Also read: UK Man Shocked To Find Rs 1.24 Crore In Bank Account
Bank error make her rich
According to local media, it all began in 2017 when Mani was a student at Walter Sisulu University. As a student, she was entitled to a stipend of 1,400 rands (approximately ₹6,000) per month. But due to some clerical error on the bank's side, a whopping 14 million rands (approximately ₹6.3 crore) got credited to Mani's account.
Instead of reporting this to the bank, Mani decided to keep the money and make the most of the opportunity. Her luck ran out after she left behind a bank receipt at a supermarket.
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Arrested, sentenced to five years
"She was just suddenly spending so much. Her supermarket receipt, which was leaked, showed she had 13.6 million rand in her account, and she had been throwing parties for her friends and showering them with gifts without worry," Samkelo Mqhayi, branch secretary of the South African Students Congress, said.
Mani was arrested by the police in 2017 when she was charged with theft and fraud. She was sentenced to five years in prison in 2022, but in July 2023, two judges at the East London High Court in Makhanda accepted her appeal and suspended Mani's prison sentence. Instead, Mani was ordered to complete 14 weeks of community service and undergo therapy.
Also read: Man Buys Gold Bars, Coins With Money Accidentally Deposited In His Bank Account
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Want to start afresh
After being released from jail, her lawyer said Mani is relieved to put this chapter behind her and is eager to start afresh. “She is very relieved… She wants to put this whole affair behind her and start over," he said.
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