Man Offers to Split €500,000 Jackpot with Thieves Who Used His Stolen Card
Imagine getting your credit card stolen, only to find out later that the thieves used it to buy a lottery ticket—and won big. That’s exactly what happened to a man in France, and instead of pressing charges, he’s offering to split the massive €500,000 prize with the culprits.
Jean-David E., a resident of Toulouse, had his backpack stolen from his car on February 3rd. Inside was his wallet, including his credit card. Not long after, he realized that someone had used his card to make a small purchase—just €52.50—at a local corner shop. But what they bought changed everything: cigarettes and a few scratch cards. And one of those scratch cards turned out to be the jackpot winner.
Now, here’s where things get interesting. The thieves, who were reportedly two homeless men, were so overjoyed when they scratched the ticket and saw they had won that they forgot their cigarettes and belongings at the shop. However, they haven’t yet come forward to claim their winnings. And that’s because they can’t.
Also Read:- Winnipeg Friends Embark on Epic Road Trip to Cheer Seth Jarvis at 4 Nations
- Suns vs. Bulls: A Courtside Showdown in Chicago
France’s national lottery operator, Française des Jeux (FDJ), has blocked the winning ticket. Legally, winnings obtained through fraudulent means—like using a stolen credit card—could be seized. So unless the rightful owner of the card (Jean-David) gets involved, the ticket is essentially worthless.
Rather than seeing the money disappear, Jean-David has come up with a bold solution. He’s publicly appealing to the thieves, saying he’s willing to strike a deal. His offer? A 50/50 split. "Without me, they wouldn’t have won, but without them, I wouldn’t have bought the ticket," he reasoned in a radio interview. "For that amount of money, I’m ready to come to an agreement."
His lawyer, Pierre Debuisson, has also stepped in, proposing an amnesty. Jean-David isn’t looking to prosecute—he’s even willing to withdraw the police complaint. Instead, he sees this as an opportunity for the two men to turn their lives around. "This is a miraculous opportunity for them," the lawyer said. "Unless they contact us, the ticket is useless. So why not settle amicably?"
Time, however, is running out. Lottery winners in France have 30 days to claim their prize. If the thieves don’t come forward soon, the money will be lost forever.
The situation has sparked debate. Who is the real owner of the winnings? The person who bought the ticket (even if illegally) or the person whose money was used to buy it? Legal experts are divided, but one thing is clear: this is a once-in-a-lifetime situation, and the clock is ticking.
Now, the big question remains—will the thieves take the deal? Or will the winning ticket go unclaimed, leaving half a million euros in limbo?
Read More:
0 Comments