Sep 13, 2021

GoFundMe set up to assist great-grandfather who lost $71K after bank transaction mishap

Stranger refuses to return $71,000 to elderly man who transferred money to wrong account

The grandchildren of an elderly man who appeared on A Current Affair after accidentally transferring $71K to a complete stranger, have started a GoFundMe in the hopes of raising funds to assist their grandfather.

Gordon Layton, 88, accidentally sent $71,000 to the wrong bank account while attempting to pay a company that had recently moved his home onto his block of land.

Unfortunately, this money was sent to a complete stranger who then refused to return the money. This man has been charged by police, but it is believed that he no longer has the means to repay the money regardless of any court ruling.

According to family members, Mr Layton recently suffered a stroke, which they believe is a result of the financial stress that the great-grandfather has endured ever since the banking mishap.

In addition to the loss of money, Mr Layton still owes $71,000 to the moving company that was supposed to be the recipient of the funds, and he fears he may actually lose his home in order to repay the money.

Currently, Mr Layton continues to stay with family or sleeps in his shed, as financial pressure has left him unable to pay to have running water connected at his house.

While current border restrictions have left family members unable to visit Mr Leyton in person, his grandchildren recently set up a GoFundMe in the hopes of raising funds to repair the elderly man’s home, which is currently uninhabitable.

Mr Layton’s family shared more details of their grandfather’s situation in the GoFundMe page description.

“This GoFundMe campaign has been set up by Gordon’s grandkids, who are feeling extremely helpless due to the current border restrictions in place, as we cannot get there to help in any way,” the GoFundMe page reads.

“We are hoping to do our best to raise enough money to contribute for the work needed to save our elderly grandfather’s house in place of physically being there to support him.”

It continues, “Not only is the house currently under threat of being taken from him, it also has no running water, no bathroom, no kitchen and the plaster is falling from the roof.”

Mr Layton’s family also revealed that David Wright House Removals – the company that was the intended recipient of Mr Leyton’s money – has commenced legal action against the grandfather to recover its funds.

Mr Layton’s bank has officially declined to assist in any way.

At present, the GoFundMe set up to assist Mr Layton has raised $6,645 of the $20,000 goal.

If you would like to donate to the GoFundMe page that has been set up to assist Mr Layton, please click here.