The Melbourne couple who mistakenly sent almost $6.6 million, or 10.5 million Australian dollars, on Crypto.com in 2021 is arguing in court that they thought the funds were won via a competition.
Thevamanogari Manivel and her husband, Jatinder Singh, are currently facing a trial in the Victoria Supreme Court over theft charges, among others, after the duo allegedly went on a spending spree with Crypto.com’s funds לעצטע יאָר.
Their charges slightly differ, as Manivel is אָנגעקלאָגט מיט גנייווע for withdrawing the funds from her Commonwealth bank account, negligently dealing with proceeds of crime and trying to flee the country.
In March, Manivel was arrested at Melbourne airport, after it was alleged that she was trying to fly home to Malaysia with roughly 11,000 AUD.
She was granted bail on strict conditions in the latest hearing, having to surrender her passport and being barred from attending any points of departure.
Manivel’s lawyer argues that she was unaware of criminal charges being brought against her when trying to fly to Malaysia.
Singh is primarily facing theft charges for withdrawing Crypto.com’s funds from the bank. Moving forward, Manivel and Singh are set for a directions hearing in the county court on Nov. 8.
ספּענדינג ספּרי
A police officer told the court the funds were allegedly used to buy four houses, vehicles, gifts for relatives, art and some furniture, while 4 million AUD was also sent to a bank account in Malaysia.
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One of their four houses included a 1.35 million AUD five bedroom property in Craigieburn, which the Victoria Supreme Court promptly ordered to be sold and the money returned to Crypto.com.
As it stands, around $7 million has been paid back, with $3 million still to be accounted for. Civil action is reportedly underway to freeze properties and get the remaining funds back.
Source: https://cointelegraph.com/news/couple-sent-10-5m-by-crypto-com-claim-they-thought-they-won-a-prize