In an extraordinary turn of events, a Chennai taxi driver named Rajkumar recently found himself in possession of a staggering Rs 9,000 crore, making him a billionaire overnight. However, this windfall proved to be short-lived, as it was revealed to be a banking error that was promptly corrected by the bank.
Rajkumar, hailing from Neikkarapatti village near Palani, lived with fellow taxi driver friends in a rented room in Kodambakkam. On a seemingly ordinary day, September 9th, after a tiring shift behind the wheel, he decided to take a brief afternoon nap.
Around 3 p.m., Rajkumar’s life took an unexpected turn when his phone chimed with a message notification from his bank, Tamilnad Mercantile Bank (TMB). The message conveyed the astonishing news of an unexpected deposit into his account, a whopping Rs 9,000 crore. The magnitude of this figure left Rajkumar in a state of disbelief, as the numerous zeros made it challenging to grasp the enormity of the situation.
Up until that moment, his bank account held a meager Rs 105. Initially, Rajkumar dismissed the notification as a possible prank or a scam, as the idea of such a colossal sum appearing out of nowhere seemed surreal. However, after scrutinizing his message inbox more closely, he confirmed that the text alert was indeed sent from the bank’s official number, as reported by ET.
Reacting swiftly to the astounding news, Rajkumar decided to transfer Rs 21,000 to a friend, possibly in an attempt to ensure that the money wasn’t a mere illusion. However, his attempt to retain a fraction of this unexpected fortune was short-lived. Within a matter of minutes, the bank acted promptly to correct the error, debiting the excessive amount from his account.
The following morning, officials from Tamilnad Mercantile Bank in Thoothukudi contacted Rajkumar to acknowledge the colossal mistake. They urged him not to withdraw any more funds and even hinted at the possibility of filing a police complaint if necessary.
Concerned about the potential legal ramifications and wanting to resolve the situation amicably, Rajkumar decided to visit the T Nagar branch of the bank. He was accompanied by a legal advocate to ensure his interests were protected during the process. In a surprising turn of events, both parties managed to reach a compromise.
Rajkumar revealed, “The bank said that I need not return the amount I withdrew so far and has offered me a car loan.” This decision represents a fair resolution to a highly unusual situation, with the bank acknowledging its mistake and extending a gesture of goodwill to the unwitting beneficiary.
While Rajkumar’s brief stint as a billionaire garnered significant attention, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of accurate financial transactions and the potential consequences of errors in the banking sector. It also highlights the need for individuals to exercise caution and verify the authenticity of unexpected windfalls, even when they seem too good to be true.
In conclusion, Rajkumar’s temporary elevation to billionaire status was a remarkable tale of an ordinary taxi driver who momentarily found himself in possession of an extraordinary sum of money due to a banking error. While the windfall was short-lived, it led to a resolution that spared Rajkumar from financial liability and offered him a unique opportunity in the form of a car loan. This incident serves as a captivating episode in the annals of banking errors and the unexpected fortunes they can bestow, even if only for a fleeting moment.
