A food company employee in Chile walked away a rich man after being mistakenly paid 165 million pesos — about S$222,000 — instead of his usual monthly salary of 500,000 pesos (S$673). The incident, which took place in May 2022, led to a legal fight lasting three years after the man refused to return the money and resigned from his job soon after.
The overpayment, caused by a payroll error, sparked a dispute that caught national attention in Chile. Despite the company’s insistence that the worker had promised to refund the money, he left the firm just three days later, leading his employers to accuse him of theft and pursue criminal charges.
Payroll Blunder Turns into Legal Drama
According to Daily Mail, the company discovered the massive payment error and contacted the man immediately. During a meeting with the firm’s human resources team, he allegedly agreed to return the funds. However, instead of following through, he stopped responding to the company and later submitted his resignation.
The firm subsequently took legal action, accusing him of stealing the money. Under Chilean law, a theft conviction could have resulted in up to 540 days in jail and a hefty fine.
But the lengthy court battle ended in the man’s favour after the judge ruled that he had not committed a criminal act. The court determined that his actions amounted to “unauthorised collection” — a civil matter rather than a criminal offence. As a result, the worker was acquitted and allowed to keep the full amount.
Company Still Determined to Recover Money
Despite losing the case, the food company has vowed to continue fighting for the funds. A spokesperson told Chilean business newspaper Diario Financiero that the firm would “take all possible legal steps” and apply for a review of the ruling.
The case has since become a viral talking point across Latin America and beyond, with many netizens joking that the man had “won the lottery at work.”
While the outcome may have stunned employers, legal experts pointed out that the ruling highlights the importance of strict payroll verification systems and digital auditing in business operations — key aspects of corporate governance and financial accountability.
For now, the ex-employee remains free, richer by S$222,000, and legally untouchable — a once-in-a-lifetime payday that came courtesy of a costly clerical mistake.