Imagine checking your bank balance and finding $10.5 million sitting there—seemingly out of nowhere. For Thevamanogari Manivel, this wasn’t a dream or a fantasy but an unexpected windfall that turned her life upside down.
How the Mistake Happened
In May 2021, Crypto.com processed a refund for Manivel, but instead of entering the refund amount of $100 into the payment system, an employee mistakenly input her account number in the field for the transfer amount. This simple clerical error caused $10.5 million to be sent to her account.
Remarkably, the error slipped under the radar for seven months, only coming to light during a routine audit in December 2021. By that time, the funds were already being spent, turning a simple refund into a legal and reputational debacle for the company.
How the Funds Were Spent
Manivel’s response to the unexpected windfall was as extravagant as it was swift. Within months, the disability support worker purchased a $1.35 million luxury home in Craigieburn, Melbourne. She transferred the property to her sister, Thilagavathy Gangadory. Located in a quiet suburban neighborhood, the property included four bedrooms, spacious interiors, and a landscaped garden. It was a purchase far beyond anything she could have afforded under normal circumstances.
Beyond the house, court documents revealed that Manivel splurged on high-end cars, expensive gifts, and international bank transfers to family members in Malaysia. For someone unaccustomed to wealth, the sudden influx seemed like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Crypto.com Takes Legal Action
When Crypto.com realized their error, they moved swiftly to recover the money, filing a lawsuit against Manivel and her sister in early 2022. However, by the time the court intervened in August 2022, much of the money had vanished.
Once Crypto.com finally realized the error, they scrambled to recover the money. They filed a lawsuit against Manivel and her sister in early 2022, claiming they had no legal right to keep the money. In August 2022, the Victorian Supreme Court ruled in favor of Crypto.com, ordering the sale of the Craigieburn property and the return of the remaining funds.
However, by this point, much of the money had been spent or moved, complicating recovery efforts. While the court’s decision reaffirmed the error’s illegality, the legal battle also exposed Crypto.com’s operational failings, particularly the lack of safeguards.
The Attempt to Flee
As the legal case escalated, Manivel attempted an escape. In March 2022, she and her family were intercepted at Melbourne Airport with one-way tickets to Malaysia. Authorities suspected the trip was an effort to avoid legal consequences and secure any remaining funds abroad.
Her arrest at the airport became a turning point. What began as a shocking mistake by Crypto.com now included allegations of theft and dishonestly obtaining financial advantage. The drama intensified, painting Manivel as someone actively evading accountability.
Court Sentencing and Community Work
In September 2023, Manivel faced sentencing in the Victorian County Court. The judge acknowledged that the funds were deposited into her account by mistake, but spending the money knowingly constituted a serious breach of the law. She was sentenced to an 18-month community corrections order, including 200 hours of unpaid community service.
Crypto.com’s Reputation in Tatters
For Crypto.com, the mistake was more than a financial loss—it was a public relations disaster. The company, which markets itself as a secure and cutting-edge platform for crypto traders, faced widespread criticism for the error and its failure to detect it for seven months.
Questions were raised about Crypto.com’s internal processes, mainly the lack of safeguards to prevent such a significant oversight. While the funds were partially recovered, the reputational damage lingered, casting doubt on its reliability.
