A Woman Unexpectedly Receives $70,000 from a Mysterious Account and is Told by the Bank: "You Have Full Ownership!"
Seeing a large sum of money in her account, the woman felt more anxiety than excitement.
In 2018, a humorous yet perplexing story involving a bank transaction captured public attention in China. It revolved around Ms. Zhang, a 72-year-old resident of Zhengzhou, Henan Province. She and her husband have one son, who is an adult working abroad. Although not wealthy, the family lived a peaceful life, with enough to meet their needs and save for the future.
In June 2018, reminded by a neighbor, Ms. Zhang realized her ATM card had expired and went to the bank to apply for a replacement. She was warmly assisted by the bank staff, and after just ten minutes, she completed the necessary procedures and was told to wait at home until her new card was ready.
About a week later, Ms. Zhang returned to the bank to pick up her new card. When she used it at an ATM, she was shocked to see a balance of 520,000 yuan (approximately $70,000 or 1.7 billion VND). Overwhelmed by a mix of surprise and worry, she immediately returned to the bank to request a transaction review.
At the bank, staff explained that once the new ATM card was activated, the old card would automatically be deactivated, and the balance transferred to the new card. The 520,000 yuan, they clarified, was indeed her money, and she was free to use it.
While slightly reassured by the explanation, Ms. Zhang still felt uneasy as she couldnât recall how such a large amount had accumulated in her account. Upon returning home, she questioned her husband and other family members about the origin of the money but received no answers. She then tried calling her son, but due to the time difference, he didnât answer.
That night, Ms. Zhang tossed and turned, unable to sleep. She couldnât remember any transaction or event that would account for the 520,000 yuan in her account. Fearing she might have become the target of some illegal activity, she and her husband returned to the bank the next morning to request a detailed review of all past transactions. They also sought assistance from the police to get to the bottom of the matter.
The bank provided full transaction records and relevant documentation for the investigation. It was discovered that Ms. Zhangâs old bank account had been receiving monthly deposits ranging from 20,000 to 50,000 yuan, though no details were attached to the transfers. When the senderâs information was checked, it was revealed that the account belonged to Zhang JieâMs. Zhangâs son.
Ms. Zhang immediately called her son. Upon learning of the situation, Zhang Jie explained that several years ago, he had asked his mother to hold onto some savings for him in case of emergencies. Each month, he had transferred tens of thousands of yuan into her account, believing this would prevent him from overspending while also giving his mother extra funds if she ever needed them.
It appeared that Ms. Zhang had forgotten her sonâs request, likely due to her age. Zhang Jie admitted he was also at fault for not reminding her after each transfer. Additionally, the ATM card Ms. Zhang used at the time wasnât set up to send balance notifications, which explained why she was unaware of the 520,000 yuan in her account.
This incident garnered significant attention on Chinese social media. Many praised Ms. Zhangâs integrity, noting that despite her age and possible memory lapses, she showed admirable character by insisting on uncovering the origin of the money instead of keeping it unquestioningly. Thankfully, with the help of the bank and the police, Ms. Zhang was able to get a clear explanation and put her worries to rest.