YouTube Reproduction
After discovering a loophole in ATMs and illegally withdrawing over $1 million, he regretted it: “I knew I was losing my inner purpose.”
In 2011, Australian Dan Saunders was a bartender with little money when he discovered a “loophole” in ATMs that allowed him to withdraw as much money as he wanted.
For 4 months, Saunders spent on luxurious trips, fancy restaurants, gifts for his friends, and also on charity, booking five-star hotel rooms for homeless people; all with the help of his powerful National Australian Bank card.
His story has been retold countless times across social media, but in an interview on Steve Rose PhD’s YouTube channel, Saunders was honest about how guilt had a deep impact on his mental health and regret.
“I knew I was losing my inner purpose with my real moral. And I don’t mean to say I was a saint in any way, but I want to say I had fun and always thought they would catch me, not me.”
Saunders explained in the show that the whole situation increased his anxiety, which led him to take medication to “calm down,” and that it was a sign that he was not at peace with what he was doing.
“I remember thinking that if you need to use drugs to change your mind, that’s not good, that’s not a fix, that wasn’t a path I wanted to follow,” he said.
After spending $1.6 million, Saunders eventually turned himself in to the authorities and was sentenced to one year in prison, followed by 18 months of community service.
