A banking system glitch helped a man to illegally take thousands of dollars from money machines, the Nelson District Court has been told.
Leslie Paul Cunningham, 18, a fisherman, admitted 15 charges of using a bank card for a pecuniary advantage between March 26 and 28.
Prosecutor Senior Sergeant Rex Morris said Cunningham used his girlfriend's National Bank card to withdraw $4904. The machines gave him cash even though there was very little in the account.
Defence lawyer Susan Hanley said Cunningham initially intended withdrawing only a small amount after his girlfriend gave him her bank card and pin number.
But while he was withdrawing cash from the first machine he showed off to friends by pressing several buttons at random. To his surprise money came pouring out.
"He couldn't believe it when all the money came out."
Ms Hanley said the National Bank had acknowledged that its system had had a problem.
Cunningham will be sentenced next month.
- NZPA
Bank glitch cited in cash fraud
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