Kara Hurring, New Zealand 'Accidental Millionaire,' Convicted Of Theft, Fraud, Money Laundering

ROTORUA, New Zealand -- A New Zealand woman who went on the run with some of the millions of dollars mistakenly deposited into her partner's bank account has been convicted of theft, attempted fraud and money laundering.

Kara Hurring and partner Hui "Leo" Gao were dubbed the "Accidental Millionaires" after Westpac bank in 2009 gave them a credit line of 10 million New Zealand dollars (US$7.7 million) – 100 times their approved limit. The couple transferred millions into other accounts and left for China. Hurring returned after having a baby.

The New Zealand Herald said Hurring cried in the Rotorua court Friday when the jury found her guilty of 30 charges. She is due to be sentenced in August.

Gao was extradited from Hong Kong last year and faces similar charges.

Comments

[Bloviator88]

12:02 PM on 05/21/2012

Too bad this didn't happen in America. We let thieves keep their stolen loot if they just wear a nice suit and tie.

[alwaystellitlikeitis]

06:48 PM on 05/20/2012

Now about those Chase executives....

[JoeBlough]

12:32 PM on 05/20/2012

All that money and not a job was created.

[leftword]

10:45 AM on 05/20/2012

They should have hid their money in a bank in the Caymans, like Mitt does.

[taina2]

10:30 AM on 05/20/2012

Maybe it was Bush's fault?

[gotch]

10:18 AM on 05/20/2012

In this case, greed is not good?

[WhirledTraveler]

10:43 PM on 05/19/2012

Even a $77,000 credit limit seems pretty damned good to me.

[Edgar H]

09:51 PM on 05/19/2012

They take the biscuit for being stupid and returning.

[clearthinker16]

08:42 PM on 05/19/2012

WHY DID THEY RETURN?

[Sunwyn Ravenwood]

07:43 AM on 05/20/2012

Stupidity has no limits.

[clearthinker16]

11:40 AM on 05/20/2012

lol

[Iain Banks]

06:42 AM on 05/21/2012

Didn't matter. Extradition treaties means they would have been hauled back anyway.

[WWZander]

05:15 PM on 05/19/2012

An of course the jury found her guilty, they are all jealous it wasn't them that got all that money!

[WWZander]

05:11 PM on 05/19/2012

WoW, if the bank screws you, its too bad so sad. But if the bank makes an error, in your favor, your the criminal. Some real serious BS! It isn't my fault the bank is imcompetent! If I make a mistake I have to pay the bank a fee! The bank makes a mistake, people go to jail.

I would of taken the money and ran too, only I wouldn't make the mistake she made, I wouldn't be dumb enough to come back!

[LeftRightCenter]

02:33 PM on 05/19/2012

lmpao

[gardinsprite13]

01:35 PM on 05/19/2012

As a strong wind sweeps a boat on the water,even one of the roaming senses,on which the mind focuses can carry away a mans intelligence!
Bhagavad-gita As It Is

[divalishis]

01:08 PM on 05/19/2012

This doesn't make any sense. How many of us use up our overdraft protection and never pay it back. We get bad credit, collection agencies harassing us, but no criminal charges.

They should have gone to a country that has no extridition policy. They should have also invested the money in a lucrative bisiness and pay back the bank's money from their profits.

She was really stupid to retun knowing that her boy friend was already facing charges

[piceaglauca]

11:22 AM on 05/19/2012

What do these people think was going to happen? There is no political or state interest here so it is easier to send them back.