Woman from central Vietnam returns mistaken bank transfer of over $19,000

Police in Cam Thanh Ward said on Monday, the eve of Tet, that they had helped Phan Thi Le My, 39, complete banking procedures to return the funds in accordance with regulations.

The money had been sent in error by Mai Quang Hung, who lives in northern Ninh Binh Province and had borrowed the amount to pay for his daughter’s medical treatment.

Earlier, on the morning of February 14, My was surprised to see her bank balance increase by VND500 million ($19,250) from an unknown sender.

The large and unexpected transfer, arriving just before Tet when financial needs typically rise, left her puzzled.

After checking with relatives and acquaintances, she confirmed that no one she knew had sent her the money.

Without hesitation, she reported the matter to local police.

“It’s a large amount of money. The person who sent it by mistake must be extremely worried, especially so close to Tet when everyone needs money for their families,” My said, adding that keeping money that did not belong to her was never an option.

Based on the information she provided, police coordinated with the relevant bank to trace the transaction.

Authorities soon identified Hung as the sender.

He told police he had accidentally transferred the entire amount due to an error while making the transaction.

The money, he explained, had been borrowed from various sources to cover treatment for his daughter, who is battling a serious illness.

When his family realized the funds had been sent to the wrong account, they were overwhelmed with anxiety.

The sum they had painstakingly gathered and borrowed had suddenly gone missing just days before Tet, which lasts a week from Tuesday.

Hope returned when Hung learned that the recipient had voluntarily reported the transfer and was working with authorities to return the money.

After receiving the funds, he said he was deeply moved.

“My family is extremely grateful to My and the police officers," he said.

"Without that honesty, we would not have had peace of mind for Tet, and we would not know how to manage our daughter’s treatment after the holiday. 

"We are truly thankful."

Amid the rush of the year’s end, My’s decision to do the right thing brought the situation to a positive resolution.

Her quiet sense of responsibility met a father’s immense relief in a story that has warmed hearts during the festive season.

Though simple, the incident offers a reminder of kindness and integrity, a timely gesture of goodwill as the Lunar New Year approaches.