# NZ couple gets unexpected windfall, flees country **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 21, 2009, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nz-couple-gets-unexpected-windfall-flees-country/497149 "2009-05-21T08:11:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2009, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nz-couple-gets-unexpected-windfall-flees-country/497149/41 "2009-05-22T13:53:39Z")
> [@Bearflag70](#): > > So, where’s a good place to go in these circumstances? I would think any industrialized nation is out. > > Also, how would one get into some other country and start living without a paper trail? I would think they would have to get some good fake IDs first. If so, I would have no clue where to begin to find someone who is known to make quality fake ID. Brazil. Won’t extradite over financial crimes. ---
**Author:** ![Caffeine.addict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f475e1/32.png) [@Caffeine.addict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caffeine.addict)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2009, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nz-couple-gets-unexpected-windfall-flees-country/497149/42 "2009-05-22T14:23:35Z")
Even if you got the money out, how are you going to transport it? The physical mechanics of moving that much cash are complicated. I would imagine that we are talking about suitcases of money. And once you have it out, then what? Where do you hide it? Can you put it in a bank? It is a pain in the ass to open a bank account in Brazil. You would need to get a [CPF](http://boards.bootsnall.com/foreigners-how-to-get-a-cpf-social-security-number-in-brazil-t24177.html). Those are a pain in the ass to get, and I have Brazilian citizenship. I would imagine that getting a similar document in any country you are not a citizen of would be equally difficult especially if you are flying under the radar. ---
**Author:** ![cjepson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9adbd/32.png) [@cjepson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjepson)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2009, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nz-couple-gets-unexpected-windfall-flees-country/497149/43 "2009-05-22T14:38:29Z")
> [@CCYMan](#): > > Yeah, because they really fleeced that bank. This is shear torture. I kid you not, it’s really getting my goat. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2009, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nz-couple-gets-unexpected-windfall-flees-country/497149/44 "2009-05-22T14:55:16Z")
> [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > Brazil. > > Won’t extradite over financial crimes. [Incorrect](http://www.uslaw.com/library/International_Law/Extradition_Brazil_United_StatesPedro_Paulo_dos_Santos.php?item=6847): > [@](#): > > The extradition treaty[5] between the United States and Brazil was signed on January 13, 1961, with a protocol[6] being signed on June 18, 1062; both entered into force on December 17, 1964. The treaty contains a laundry list of offenses for which extradition can be had, including such crimes as malicious wounding, bigamy, arson, piracy, malicious destruction of infrastructure, counterfeiting, **embezzlement** , **larceny** , **fraud** , bribery, bankruptcy fraud, drug trafficking, and smuggling, among many others. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/47e85d/32.png) [@Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Lance_Murdoch)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2009, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nz-couple-gets-unexpected-windfall-flees-country/497149/45 "2009-05-22T15:10:38Z")
I wonder if this is as much of an accident as has been portrayed. They got out of town mighty fast with this money. As has been pointed out, moving around this kind of money is not easy. Knowing where to go is not obvious. It’s almost like they had a plan, like they knew this mistake was coming, as if someone inside the bank had worked with them as an accomplice. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2009, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nz-couple-gets-unexpected-windfall-flees-country/497149/46 "2009-05-22T15:48:47Z")
> [@Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](#): > > I wonder if this is as much of an accident as has been portrayed. > > They got out of town mighty fast with this money. As has been pointed out, moving around this kind of money is not easy. Knowing where to go is not obvious. It’s almost like they had a plan, like they knew this mistake was coming, as if someone inside the bank had worked with them as an accomplice. the black sheep of the family probably worked at the local bank… ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2009, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nz-couple-gets-unexpected-windfall-flees-country/497149/47 "2009-05-22T15:50:21Z")
> [@cjepson](#): > > This is shear torture. I kid you not, it’s really getting my goat. Man, that couple better hope they’re not caught. I can’t imagine the ramming they’ll get in prison. ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2009, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nz-couple-gets-unexpected-windfall-flees-country/497149/48 "2009-05-22T16:33:49Z")
> [@Enderw24](#): > > Man, that couple better hope they’re not caught. I can’t imagine the ramming they’ll get in prison. Perhaps they deserve it for trying to pull the wool over everyone’s eyes. ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2009, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nz-couple-gets-unexpected-windfall-flees-country/497149/49 "2009-05-22T17:28:34Z")
This constant flow of puns is really baaaaaaad. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2009, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nz-couple-gets-unexpected-windfall-flees-country/497149/50 "2009-05-22T17:29:24Z")
If they get busted what would they be charged with? The bank put the money in their account. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2009, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nz-couple-gets-unexpected-windfall-flees-country/497149/51 "2009-05-22T17:30:59Z")
I cannot recall the last time I saw so many sheep puns in one thread. Or can I…? ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2009, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nz-couple-gets-unexpected-windfall-flees-country/497149/52 "2009-05-22T17:31:08Z")
> [@Sitnam](#): > > If they get busted what would they be charged with? The bank put the money in their account. You’re joking, right? ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2009, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nz-couple-gets-unexpected-windfall-flees-country/497149/53 "2009-05-22T17:31:16Z")
All these puns are just… meh. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2009, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nz-couple-gets-unexpected-windfall-flees-country/497149/54 "2009-05-22T17:35:17Z")
> [@Q.E.D](#): > > You’re joking, right? If I found 10 million in my backyard and fled the country could I be charged with theft if caught? ---
**Author:** ![threemae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5f9b8f/32.png) [@threemae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/threemae)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2009, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nz-couple-gets-unexpected-windfall-flees-country/497149/55 "2009-05-22T17:39:05Z")
> [@Q.E.D](#): > > [Incorrect](http://www.uslaw.com/library/International_Law/Extradition_Brazil_United_StatesPedro_Paulo_dos_Santos.php?item=6847): Yes, but the relevant extradition treaty here would be between NZ and Brazil. Of course, I think any nation would be free to extradite someone in their state without an extradition treaty, but the absence of a standing extradition treaty makes the likelihood much lower. Basically, they wouldn need to find a state that felt the advantage of having $6 M NZ in hard currency within its borders and presumably eventually subject to sales or other tax to outweigh the damage to their reputation of harboring financial criminals. Certainly there are some Caribbean and other states that have shown such attitudes about banking standards that might be willing to accomodate such a couple replete with hard currency. ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2009, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nz-couple-gets-unexpected-windfall-flees-country/497149/56 "2009-05-22T17:39:22Z")
> [@ShadowFacts](#): > > This constant flow of puns is really baaaaaaad. Ewe re-veal your lack of good humor with statements like that. ---
**Author:** ![ParentalAdvisory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@ParentalAdvisory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParentalAdvisory)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2009, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nz-couple-gets-unexpected-windfall-flees-country/497149/57 "2009-05-22T17:45:57Z")
> [@Sitnam](#): > > If I found 10 million in my backyard and fled the country could I be charged with theft if caught? It was a mistake on the banks part, that doesn’t mean it was a gift. As to your query, who knows. Try it some time. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2009, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nz-couple-gets-unexpected-windfall-flees-country/497149/58 "2009-05-22T17:49:59Z")
> [@Sitnam](#): > > If I found 10 million in my backyard and fled the country could I be charged with theft if caught? [Maybe](http://bbn.frn.com/fis/storydisplay.asp?site=&storyID=5275). ---
**Author:** ![Driver8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5a626/32.png) [@Driver8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Driver8)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2009, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nz-couple-gets-unexpected-windfall-flees-country/497149/59 "2009-05-22T18:09:36Z")
> [@Yllaria](#): > > The linked article says they might have gone to Korea or China. Would either be outside Interpol’s jurisdiction? I don’t think Interpol has any jurisdiction - it is an international organization meant to assist cooperation between country’s police forces. Only Chinese police would have jurisdiction within China. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2009, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nz-couple-gets-unexpected-windfall-flees-country/497149/60 "2009-05-22T18:12:38Z")
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