Some Obscurish facts
#39
1977 On July 31 a Filipino couple, Melchor and Victoria Javier, Jr., ordered a $1,000 bank draft from the Mellon bank, Pittsburgh, to be sent to them in Manila. In one of the great blunders of modern times, the Mellon bank accidentally added three zeros to the draft--and the Javiers received a check for $1,000,000 instead of $1,000. Delighted with the windfall, the Javiers proceeded to spend the money as follows: $433,000 for a 160-acre California lot; $37,333 for gambling; $42,000 for gifts to relatives and friends; $20,000 for family medical expenses; $80,000 for legal fees; $8,000 household expenses; $120,000 'miscellaneous expenditures.' The balance the Javiers deposited in savings accounts. When the astonished bank executives discovered the error, they sought to recover the money. The Javiers refused to return the overpayment, insisting they had spent most of it. The bank instigated a law suit, still unresolved.
1977 On July 31 a Filipino couple, Melchor and Victoria Javier, Jr., ordered a $1,000 bank draft from the Mellon bank, Pittsburgh, to be sent to them in Manila. In one of the great blunders of modern times, the Mellon bank accidentally added three zeros to the draft--and the Javiers received a check for $1,000,000 instead of $1,000. Delighted with the windfall, the Javiers proceeded to spend the money as follows: $433,000 for a 160-acre California lot; $37,333 for gambling; $42,000 for gifts to relatives and friends; $20,000 for family medical expenses; $80,000 for legal fees; $8,000 household expenses; $120,000 'miscellaneous expenditures.' The balance the Javiers deposited in savings accounts. When the astonished bank executives discovered the error, they sought to recover the money. The Javiers refused to return the overpayment, insisting they had spent most of it. The bank instigated a law suit, still unresolved.