Malaysian student spent $4.6m after Westpac glitch

All charges have been dropped against a Malaysian student accused of splurging $4.6million on luxury goods after a bank glitch.

Prosecutors dropped the charges against Christine Jiaxin Lee after a similar case was thrown out of court.

She had previously appeared in court charged with dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception and knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime. 

All charges have been dropped against a Malaysian student (pictured) accused of splurging $4.6million on luxury goods after a bank glitch

Prosecutors dropped the charges against Christine Jiaxin Lee (pictured) after a similar case was thrown out of court

Prosecutors dropped the charges against Christine Jiaxin Lee (pictured) after a similar case was thrown out of court

Pictured are some of the luxury designer handbags allegedly bought by Christine Jiaxin Lee

Pictured are some of the luxury designer handbags allegedly bought by Christine Jiaxin Lee

After a Westpac error the Malaysian Sydney University student allegedly went on a spending spree (pictured are Prada sunglasses allegedly purchased by Ms Lee)

After a Westpac error the Malaysian Sydney University student allegedly went on a spending spree (pictured are Prada sunglasses allegedly purchased by Ms Lee)

The ruling could have wide-ranging implications, Nine News reported.

The Sydney University student was arrested in May 2016 as she tried to board a flight to Malaysia.

Ms Lee had been given an unlimited overdraft from Westpac after a processing error in 2012.

Ms Lee (pictured) had previously appeared in court charged with dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception and knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime

Ms Lee (pictured) had previously appeared in court charged with dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception and knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime

The Sydney University student (pictured) was arrested in May 2016 as she tried to board a flight to Malaysia

The Sydney University student (pictured) was arrested in May 2016 as she tried to board a flight to Malaysia

Pictured is one of the handbags allegedly bought by Ms Lee using the Westpac overdraft

Pictured is one of the handbags allegedly bought by Ms Lee using the Westpac overdraft

Ms Lee allegedly spent million on expensive designer handbags (pictured), shoes and jewellery

Ms Lee allegedly spent million on expensive designer handbags (pictured), shoes and jewellery

The chemical engineering student allegedly realised she had an unlimited overdraft in July 2014 and allegedly went on a spending spree.

She allegedly spent $4.6million in just 11 months, splurging $220,000 at the Christian Dior store in Sydney in a single day. 

In April 2015 a senior manager at Westpac noticed the error and called Ms Lee, demanding she account for the missing $4,653,333. 

Ms Lee (pictured) had been given an unlimited overdraft from Westpac after a processing error in 2012

Ms Lee (pictured) had been given an unlimited overdraft from Westpac after a processing error in 2012

The chemical engineering student (pictured) allegedly realised she had an unlimited overdraft in July 2014 and allegedly went on a spending spree

The chemical engineering student (pictured) allegedly realised she had an unlimited overdraft in July 2014 and allegedly went on a spending spree

Ms Lee allegedly spent $4.6million on luxury items, including the Chanel earrings pictured

Ms Lee allegedly spent $4.6million on luxury items, including the Chanel earrings pictured

Ms Lee allegedly spent $4.6million in only 11 months on items including the handbag pictured

Ms Lee allegedly spent $4.6million in only 11 months on items including the handbag pictured

These Christian Louboutin are among the designer good allegedly bought by Ms Lee

These Christian Louboutin are among the designer good allegedly bought by Ms Lee

Ms Lee has a large number of Hermes bags seized, allegedly bought with money from a bank error

Ms Lee has a large number of Hermes bags seized, allegedly bought with money from a bank error

Ms Lee claimed at the time she believed the money had been transferred by her parents.

Police seized a number of luxury items from Ms Lee’s Rhodes apartment, including Hermes bags, Christian Louboutin boots and Cartier jewellery.

With all charges now dropped, it is unclear whether the items will be returned to Ms Lee. 

A Westpac spokesperson said in a statement: ‘Westpac has taken all possible steps to recover its funds, including taking civil action against Ms Lee.’

‘The criminal charges against Ms Lee were a matter for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and Police, and we respect their decision.’

Daily Mail Australia contacted New South Wales Police for comment.

In April 2015 a senior manager at Westpac noticed the error and called Ms Lee, demanding she account for the missing $4,653,333 (pictured are handbags seized by police)

In April 2015 a senior manager at Westpac noticed the error and called Ms Lee, demanding she account for the missing $4,653,333 (pictured are handbags seized by police)

Ms Lee claimed at the time she believed the money had been transferred by her parents (pictured are handbags seized by police)

Ms Lee claimed at the time she believed the money had been transferred by her parents (pictured are handbags seized by police)

Police seized a number of luxury items from Ms Lee's Rhodes apartment, including Hermes bags, Christian Louboutin boots and Cartier jewellery (pictured is a necklace seized)

Police seized a number of luxury items from Ms Lee’s Rhodes apartment, including Hermes bags, Christian Louboutin boots and Cartier jewellery (pictured is a necklace seized)

 

 

 



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