Man Goes On US$1.5m Gambling Spree After ATM Glitch Allows Him Unlimited Withdrawals

Man Goes On US$1.5m Gambling Spree After ATM Glitch Allows Him Unlimited Withdrawals


Ronald Page, a retired General Motors worker living in the Detroit area, took advantage of one hell of a computer glitch, after happening upon an ATM that allowed him to make unlimited cash withdrawals.

How did he choose to handle the situation? He loaded up his pockets and went on a multi-casino gambling bender. Unfortunately for him, Mr. Page’s luck ran out at the ATM; he lost all US$1.5 million to the house.

Convicted of theft of bank funds totaling US$1.5 million, Page now awaits sentencing scheduled for 27 June. Local 10 reports that prosecutors have recommended a 15-month prison sentence because they believe “Page had a lapse of judgment and [Bank of America] the bank was at fault for allowing this to happen.”

This seems rather lenient. The bank may have been at fault for its glitchy system, but Page made the choice to withdraw such a large sum of money. This may be a generalisation, but I’m going to wager a person knows whether they have US$1.5 million in the bank, or whether they’re withdrawing funds that do not actually exist.

He had an opportunity to commit a crime (theft of bank funds) and he took it. Why oh why is the prosecution laying blame on the bank’s glitch?

I’m opening this up to the Court of Public Opinion. Who’s at fault here? Is Page getting off easy? [BusinessInsider via Local 10]


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