Russian factory worker becomes overnight millionaire after payroll error & refuses to give it back

A Russian plant worker was accidentally paid $87,000 in a massive clerical error, but now that the money is in his account, he’s refusing to return it.

Vladimir Rychagov, a factory worker in western Russia, got the payday of a lifetime thanks to an accounting mistake when his job accidentally paid him not just his own salary, but that of his coworkers’, as well.

On top of his scheduled vacation pay, total of seven million rubles ($87,000 USD) hit his account on payday. Of course, that was far more than his usual take-home salary, but Rychagov wasn’t one to look a gift horse in the mouth.

Local news outlets reported that the factory had actually paid Rychagov what was meant for 34 other employees at a different branch of the business due to a ‘glitch’ in their accounting software. The company quickly called him up, demanding he return the funds — but he didn’t budge.

Russian worker refuses to refund millions of rubles in accidental pay

When their pleas didn’t work, Rychagov’s employers reportedly began harassing and threatening him, forcing him to change his phone number. He used his accidental ‘bonus’ to purchase a new car and fled the area with his family.

Things escalated when the company filed a police report against Rychagov, accusing him of crafting a scheme with an accountant to scam them out of the money.

His bank account was frozen as a result of the ensuing legal investigation, but after finding no evidence of wrongdoing, his arrest was lifted. That being said, he is legally required to return the money — but Rychagov is willing to fight tooth and nail to keep his newfound billionaire status.

In an interview with Russian news station Channel 5, he explained that there had been talk among his coworkers of a hefty New Year’s bonus, prompting his initial reaction of keeping the cash. He also argued that he is not obligated to return the funds, and is now seeking to try the case in Russia’s Supreme Court.

“After checking the internet, I found that if it was a technical error, it was up to me to return it, but if it was a billing error, I was obligated to return it. Later, I learned it was a technical error and decided I had the right to keep the money,” he said.