Summary: Australian Man Jailed After Spending Millions Accidentally Refunded by Crypto.com
An Australian man, Jatinder Singh, has been sentenced to three years in jail for theft after accidentally receiving a refund of $10.47 million from Crypto.com. Singh and his partner, Thevamanogari Manivel, spent the money on luxury goods, homes, land, and gifts before being caught. Singh claimed he thought he had won the money in an online raffle, and both partners initially believed attempts to contact them were scams. Manivel was arrested trying to flee to Malaysia, while Singh was arrested later. The court described Singh’s actions as “at least reckless” and sentenced him to three years in jail.
“At Least Reckless” Actions
In sentencing, Judge Martine Marich described Singh’s actions as “at least reckless,” adding that his actions were “precipitated by the most extraordinary of circumstances.” Singh was sentenced to three years in jail, with 361 days of presentence detention recognized as time served, and will be eligible for parole after serving two years. Manivel had already served a 209-day sentence and was placed on an 18-month community corrections order after pleading guilty to dealing with the proceeds of the crime.
Hot Take: Learn from Mistakes and Stay Vigilant
It’s essential to learn from stories like the Australian couple’s incident and stay vigilant in the fast-paced world of cryptocurrency. While mistakes can happen, it’s crucial to act responsibly and verify all transactions and communications to avoid falling victim to scams or unintentional errors that can have severe consequences.