Egypt villagers return cash after ATM glitch doubles withdrawals
Machine dispensed 2,000 pounds for 1,000-pound withdrawals before being shut down
Dubai: Residents of an Egyptian village have begun returning money mistakenly dispensed by a cash machine after a technical malfunction caused it to pay customers twice the amount they requested, according to local reports.
The incident occurred in Qay village in Ihnasiya district of Beni Suef governorate, where the problem came to light after a customer attempting to withdraw 1,000 Egyptian pounds received 2,000 pounds from the ATM.
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News of the malfunction spread quickly through the village, prompting more people to visit the machine. The error was repeated during several transactions, with customers receiving amounts greater than those entered on the ATM screen.
The machine was eventually taken out of service after an employee of a cash-management company responsible for replenishing ATMs was alerted to the problem. It was temporarily shut down pending an examination to determine the cause of the malfunction and carry out repairs.
After details of the incident circulated on social media, residents issued an appeal urging anyone who had received excess cash to return it.
Ahmed Gamal, a Qay resident who publicised the incident online, said the malfunction meant customers requesting 1,000 pounds were receiving 2,000 pounds.
The appeal prompted a broad response from villagers, with residents who had received money in error coming forward to return the excess amounts, according to local reports.
