Title: Russian Factory Worker’s Windfall Sparks Legal Dispute Over Erroneous Payment
A Dream Payment Turns Sour
A factory worker in the Russian city of Khanty-Mansiysk experienced a brief moment of euphoria when his monthly pay arrived. Vladimir Richagov was shocked to discover a deposit of over 7 million rubles (approximately $87,000), a sum vastly exceeding his regular vacation pay of just 46,954 rubles ($581). While rumors of a possible year-end bonus had circulated, the worker never anticipated such a colossal amount.
A Swift Reversal and a Fateful Decision
The elation was short-lived. The factory’s accounting department soon contacted Richagov, informing him that the multi-million ruble deposit was a clerical error and constituted the wages for 34 of his fellow employees. Despite the request for its return, Richagov made a different choice. He reportedly refused to refund the money, purchasing a car for himself and relocating with his family to another city.
Legal Recourse and a Court’s Verdict
The employer did not let the matter rest. After initial, unsubstantiated allegations of collusion with an accountant were dismissed by authorities due to a lack of evidence, the factory pursued the case through legal channels. Following months of investigation and court proceedings, a final ruling was delivered in the plant’s favor. The court ordered Richagov to return the entirety of the erroneously transferred funds.
The unusual case has drawn comparisons to a similar incident in Chile, where a man who received a payment 286 times his actual salary subsequently vanished without a trace.