Snoozing Bank Worker Mistakenly Transfers $300M

The perils of napping with your finger on the '2' key...
By Kate Seamons,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 11, 2013 8:16 AM CDT
Updated Jun 16, 2013 7:00 PM CDT
Snoozing Bank Worker Mistakenly Transfers $300M
This photo illustration shows hands typing on a computer keyboard. Hopefully the typist will remain awake.   (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

The latest in the annals of office screw-ups: A weary German bank worker was in the process of transferring 62.40 euros when he fell asleep for a (very expensive) "instant," reports the AFP. In his unconscious state he pushed the number 2 key, leading him to instead transfer 222,222,222.22 euros; that's just shy of $300 million.

The goof occurred last April, notes the BBC, but came to light in court: His error, which was eventually spotted, led to his supervisor—who didn't pick up on the error and OKed the transaction—getting sacked. She took her case to labor court, and the judges yesterday ruled in her favor, saying there was no malice on her part and that a reprimand was the appropriate punishment. (More error stories.)

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