By Jody McDonald
Melbourne, Australia – Jatinder Singh, 39, has been sentenced to three years in prison for spending over AU$6 million mistakenly deposited into his partner’s bank account by Crypto.com in 2021. The case highlights the consequences of a clerical error that led to the illegal spending spree.
Singh, along with his partner Thevamanogari Manivel, used the windfall to fund a lavish lifestyle, spending millions on real estate, luxury goods, and even gifting AU$1 million to a friend. Both Singh and Manivel pled guilty to the charges, but while Singh faces a significant prison sentence, Manivel received a lesser penalty.
The bizarre chain of events started in May 2021 when Singh attempted to transfer AU$100 from Manivel’s bank account to his account on Crypto.com. A mismatch between their account details led to a clerical error by Crypto.com’s staff, causing AU$10 million to be refunded to Manivel’s bank account instead of the original AU$100 transfer.
Singh quickly realized the mistake and told Manivel to transfer the funds to his own account to avoid detection. Despite the error, it wasn’t until seven months later, in December 2021, that Crypto.com and the Commonwealth Bank noticed the mistake.
Once aware of the windfall, Singh embarked on a flurry of spending in March 2022. He purchased real estate, high-end luxury goods, and transferred money internationally. Meanwhile, Manivel sent AU$4 million to her Malaysian bank account. Both were arrested after Singh claimed he thought the money was a prize from an online lottery.
Manivel was apprehended at Melbourne Airport with AU$11,000 in cash and a one-way ticket to Malaysia. Singh was arrested shortly after and charged with theft. Despite admitting to the crime, Singh continued to blame Crypto.com and the Commonwealth Bank for the error, claiming a lack of understanding of the situation’s seriousness.
In court, Singh was sentenced to three years in prison, with 361 days already served. He will be eligible for parole in two years. The judge noted Singh’s lack of insight into his actions, supported by a psychological report suggesting he struggled to comprehend the consequences of his crime.
Manivel was sentenced to time already served and placed on an 18-month community corrections order after pleading guilty to recklessly dealing with the proceeds of crime.
This case serves as a cautionary tale about the legal consequences of mishandling funds, even when the original mistake lies with a third party.