What Would You Have Done? TikToker Returns Accidental $8.7M Transfer

Imagine logging into your bank account and seeing almost nine million dollars sitting there by mistake. 

That’s exactly what happened to TikTok user @shawnainchapterland when Fidelity Investments accidentally wired $8.7 million into her account. 

“I Could Be Watching This Mess From a Beach in the Seychelles”

With the cost of living rising and wallets feeling tight, it’s easy to see why people joked in the comments that they’d never report it. However, Shawn did the responsible thing and called the company immediately, something she now calls her “biggest regret.” 

“I could be watching this mess from a beach in the Seychelles right now,” she said in her viral TikTok.

It sounds like a dream, but the reality of an accidental deposit is far from glamorous. Under the legal principle of unjust enrichment, money sent by mistake isn’t yours to keep. 

It’s Not Like Winning the Lottery, Though It Might Feel Like It 

Keep in mind that mistakes caused by brokerage errors, ACH transfers, or wire transfers are handled strictly, with the sender typically entitled to recover every cent.

Now, of course, such a massive infusion of money hitting your account in the blink of an eye might feel like winning the lottery. After all, it’s sudden, unexpected, and life-changing. 

However, unlike a lottery, there’s no chance to claim the prize and walk away with, as the money isn’t yours to keep, as an accidental wire transfer comes with immediate legal strings attached. 

Spend the money that isn’t yours, and things can spiral quickly: your bank could freeze your account, file a lawsuit, garnish wages, or even involve criminal charges if it looks like you knowingly used funds that weren’t yours. 

Trainwreck After Winning $8.75M on Slots: “Please Do Not Be Dumb”

Believe it or not, in a weird coincidence we found interesting enough to report, four years ago, someone else won $8.7 million in a split-second, only this time around it was a genuine and what some would call a life-changing windfall, and not accidental.

We are talking about Twitch streamer Tyler Niknam, best known as TrainwrecksTV, who, in February 2022, had a nearly identical life-changing windfall, though his was earned, not accidental. 

Trainwreck raked in an unbelievable $8.75 million in a single spin during a livestream. His reaction was pure shock: screaming “Oh my god” repeatedly, eyes wide as the numbers flashed across the screen. 

Immediately afterward, he reminded his viewers to be careful. “I am losing, you understand, I am down millions,” he said. 

“Please do not be dumb, don’t be stupid. The way I gamble, even with the Bitcoin I made, with the money I’ve made on Twitch, it is not doable or sustainable, unless you’re a large streamer that can get paid. You will lose every time”, the controversial streamer added.