Westpac makes another multi-million dollar blunder

Westpac accidentally faxed a Hamilton computer business saying $4.3m had been transferred into its account. Photo / Glenn Jeffrey

Westpac, which last month mistakenly transferred $10 million into the account of a Rotorua businessman who is still on the run, has made another big-figure error.

Hamilton computer firm Elite Business Systems received a Westpac fax telling them $4.3 million had been transferred into its account on behalf of a client paying a bill.

Administration manager Graeme Richer couldn't believe his eyes because the sum owed was just $43,000.

"We were hopeful, almost had our tickets booked to fly out to Hong Kong," he told The Waikato Times.

However, Mr Richer said the correct amount was transferred into the firm's bank account.

The mistake, which Westpac spokesman Craig Dowling said was "a simple typing error", had been corrected.

Last month, Rotorua couple Leo Gao and Kara Hurring skipped the country for Hong Kong after Westpac mistakenly put $10 million into Mr Gao's account.

Mr Gao had asked for a $100,000 overdraft.

Westpac said most of the money had been recovered but $3.8 million was still outstanding.

Police are seeking the help of Chinese authorities to find the pair.

- NZPA