As the new coronavirus spread over the world, a number of jurisdictions implemented lockdown measures, in which individuals were encouraged to "remain at home" and businesses temporarily removed the key from the door. Given that the companies and their employees were clearly not to blame for the situation and were forced to cease operations as a result of a decision by the state authorities, the states decided to provide them with subsidies to assist them in surviving until the situation returns to normal.

Of course, there will always be people who wish to take advantage of the system, so not everyone has taken advantage of the support and assistance available to them in order to salvage their enterprises and pay off employees. So far, we've heard a variety of stories of people attempting to swindle and exploit assistance organizations, but the case of Vinath Oudomsine, a 31-year-old American, is genuinely unique.

His application was for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (which was granted under the United States Congress' plan to assist during the pandemic) - he claimed that his company is small, and that he requires money to pay for salaries and rent. He was denied the loan. He received financial assistance in the amount of $85,000, but he did not put the money to use for the purposes for which it was handed to him. The manner in which he spent that assistance startled and, in some cases, outraged the officials at the Ministry of Justice, who filed a criminal complaint against him.

Instead of putting money into businesses and employees, Oudomsine spent more than $ 57,000 on a Pokemon Charizard card, according to reports. It is a rare and, obviously, extremely valuable card, but, aside from the most die-hard Pokemon fans and card collectors, paying such a large sum of money for a single card seems a little absurd.

As soon as it was discovered that he had spent the money, a formal criminal complaint was filed, and a trial was held. Additionally, he was fined an additional $ 10,000 and ordered to surrender the credit card, and he was sentenced to three years in prison on top of the $ 85,000 he owes.