Wednesday, August 10, 2022
  • Lowyat.NET
  • Lipstiq
  • Murai MY
  • Wanista
  • Varnam
  • Moviedash
  • Autofreaks
No Result
View All Result
Hype Malaysia
  • Celebs
    • K-pop
  • Music
    • Reviews
    • Interviews & Features
  • Movies & TV
    • Movies
    • TV
    • Features
  • Lifestyle
    • Fashion/ Beauty
    • Dining
    • Tech
    • Travels
    • News
  • Hype Picks
    • Events
    • Noms
    • Streams
    • Concerts
  • Giveaways
  • Contests
Hype Malaysia
  • Celebs
    • K-pop
  • Music
    • Reviews
    • Interviews & Features
  • Movies & TV
    • Movies
    • TV
    • Features
  • Lifestyle
    • Fashion/ Beauty
    • Dining
    • Tech
    • Travels
    • News
  • Hype Picks
    • Events
    • Noms
    • Streams
    • Concerts
  • Giveaways
  • Contests
No Result
View All Result
Hype Malaysia
No Result
View All Result
Home News Current Affairs

#Australia: Malaysian Student Thought RM13.8 Million Was Deposited By Parents

by Bilian
May 23, 2016
Source: Facebook

Source: Facebook

Share on FacebookShare on Whatsapp

Remember the Malaysian student who spent A$4.6 million (RM13.8 million) that was mistakenly deposited into her bank account?

In the latest twist to the story, Christine Lee Jia Xin has revealed that she “thought (her) parents gave (her) the money”. Lee’s version of the story was revealed in an affidavit obtained by Fairfax Media, reported the Sydney Morning Herald.

Source: Facebook
Source: Facebook

The affidavit contained a call on 8th April 2015 between Lee and Westpac’s senior manager of group investigations Matt Tregoning. The call documented the crucial point regarding the accidental overdraft.

By the time the bank called, Lee only had A$4,000 (RM12,000) cash left with her.

She added:

My mother is coming over to visit me in June and will give the bank a cheque. I have (told my parents about it) and they are not very happy with me.

Source: Sydney Morning Herald
Source: Sydney Morning Herald

More than a year later after the call, the chemical engineering student was arrested by the Australian Federal Police at Sydney Airport when she tried to board a flight back to Malaysia on an emergency-issue passport. On 5th May, the student, who has been residing in Australia for the past 5 years, was charged with “dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception, and knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime”.

Court documents obtained by Fairfax Media have shed some light on the course of events.

In 2012, Lee opened an account with Westpac bank and received regular deposits from her parents. Her first overdraft was on 22nd July 2014, when a monthly rent payment of A$3454 (RM10,000) put her account into debit.

The Rhodes unit block. Source: Sydney Morning Herald
The Rhodes unit block. Source: Sydney Morning Herald

She did top it up, but stopped putting the account back into credit after 2 more rent payments went through. Lee then started transferring different sums of money to a Paypal account after realising that she had an unlimited overdraft. The regular deposits from her parents also stopped.

In a span of 7 months, A$4.6 million (RM13.8 million) was transferred to her Paypal account, about half which was forwarded to 2 Commonwealth Bank accounts. The money was then used to shop at Sydney boutiques. At one particular instance, Lee even spent up to A$300,000 (RM900,000) in 1 day.

On 7th April 2015, the student transferred A$1.15 million (RM3.4 million) to her Paypal account in 14 transactions over 1 day. The abnormal spending pattern alerted Westpac’s Product Risk unit, which froze the account and contacted Lee.

ADVERTISEMENT

A summary of Christine Lee Jia Xin's spendings. Source: Sydney Morning Herald
A summary of Lee’s spending. Source: Sydney Morning Herald

When questioned on why she thought she had access to that much money, Lee simply answered:

My parents give me lots of money.

Westpac contacted Paypal, who returned the unspent A$1.15 million (RM3.4 million), but the rest of the money remains outstanding.

Over 1 year, Lee splurged RM13.8 million on handbags, designer goods, jewelries, clothes, and rent of a luxurious apartment. The branded items were found in her apartment unit in Rhodes.

Amongst the items that Lee bought were:

Source: Sydney Morning Herald
Source: Sydney Morning Herald

3 solicitors visited Lee’s apartment on 20th May 2015 and found shopping bags, shoes boxes, designer handbags, scarves, shoes, and jewelries scattered all over the floor and furniture. 2 subsequent search conducted in April and May forced Lee to hand over more than 100 handbags and mounds of clothes, sunglasses, shoes, key chains, scarves, a vacuum cleaner, cushions, and jewelries. By February 2016, Lee had fled the apartment.

The 21-year-old student cooperated with authorities at the beginning, but stopped responding to calls and showing up at court eventually. This caused police to issue a warrant for her arrest on 6th March 2016.

Lee's boyfriend, Vincent King, who wasn't aware of his girlfriend's enormous spendings. Source: Sin Chew Daily
Lee’s boyfriend, Vincent King, who wasn’t aware of his girlfriend’s enormous spendings. Source: Sin Chew Daily

The case has been in court since April 2015, when Westpac went to the Supreme Court and Federal Circuit Court to declare Lee bankrupt, seize all her assets, and take her passport. However, a magistrate explained that it might be difficult to charge Lee with criminal charges, as the bank provided her with the credit.

In response, Westpac argued that Lee had signed terms and conditions stating that she wouldn’t overdraw her account. Additionally, Lee’s continued attempt to avoid the bank, police, and the courts might cause some to interject that it was a sign of guilt.

The saga is still ongoing, and it remains to be seen if Lee will be punished for spending money that is not hers.

Sources: The Straits Times, Sydney Morning Herald.

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news. 

Tags: Christine Jiaxin LeeMalaysian student arrested in SydneyWestpac BankWestpac Bank Overdraft
Share1SendTweet1Share

ADVERTISEMENT

DON'T MISS THESE STORIES

Netizens Praise Nurul Izzah & Yin Shao Loong For Holding Simple Wedding Ceremony
Current Affairs

Netizens Praise Nurul Izzah & Yin Shao Loong For Holding Simple Wedding Ceremony

by Syahrul
August 8, 2022

Permatang Pauh MP, Nurul Izzah Anwar, is officially off the market! The female politician announced that she officially tied the...

Read more
Malaysia’s Largest Indoor Entertainment City Is Set To Open In Resorts World Genting
Lifestyle News

Malaysia’s Largest Indoor Entertainment City Is Set To Open In Resorts World Genting

by Hype Desk
August 1, 2022

You'd think the newly-opened outdoor theme park or the countless number of famous retail outlets will be your ultimate reason...

Read more
The Reason Why Fahmi Reza Rejected Johor Prince TMJ’s Offer To Meet In Person
Current Affairs

The Reason Why Fahmi Reza Rejected Johor Prince TMJ’s Offer To Meet In Person

by Syahrul
July 28, 2022

Fahmi Reza (also known by his social media moniker @kuasasiswa) set the internet on fire over his recent satirical artwork...

Read more
Pahang Prince Tengku Hassanal Reacts To Fahmi Reza’s Satirical Artwork
Current Affairs

Pahang Prince Tengku Hassanal Reacts To Fahmi Reza’s Satirical Artwork

by Syahrul
July 26, 2022

Fahmi Reza is back in the headlines, ladies and gentlemen! The local artist came up with another satirical post on...

Read more

TOP STORIES TODAY

  1. 1

    Hostess Scares Viewers During Livestream When Her Breasts Moved Downward

  2. 2

    The King Of Mini Markets: The True Origin Story Of 99 Speedmart

  3. 3

    Online Seller Caught Selling Photos Of Young Kids For RM6k; Shopee Responds

  4. 4

    Fans Defend GOT7’s Jackson Wang After Netizens Claim He Looks Ugly Without Makeup

  5. 5

    (Video) Practical Teacher Apologizes For Sexualising Students In TikTok Video

Malaysia’s live-wire for the latest news, trends, and entertainment is finally here. We are your calendar, your grapevine, your comic relief, your post-event coverage, and your celebrity stalker. Did we also mention that we are also your gateway to the world?



Contact us: newsdesk@hype.my



  • About
  • Advertise
  • Jobs
  • Terms
  • Privacy Policy

©2022 Vijandren Ramadass. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Celebs
    • K-pop
  • Music
    • Reviews
    • Interviews & Features
  • Movies & TV
    • Movies
    • TV
    • Features
  • Lifestyle
    • Fashion/ Beauty
    • Dining
    • Tech
    • Travels
    • News
  • Hype Picks
    • Events
    • Noms
    • Streams
    • Concerts
  • Giveaways
  • Contests

©2022 Vijandren Ramadass. All Rights Reserved.

We use cookies to improve your experience. Learn more