In a shocking twist to a French lottery scam, thieves used a stolen card to purchase a €500,000 winning ticket before disappearing. Jean-David E., whose card financed the jackpot, now seeks to share the winnings if the perpetrators return his stolen wallet. Prosecutors warn the unclaimed prize could be seized as illicit gains, escalating tensions in this high-stakes saga.
Jean-David discovered his backpack—containing bank cards and IDs—was stolen from his car in Toulouse earlier this month. After blocking the card, bank records revealed it had already been used at a local shop. Surveillance footage showed two men resembling homeless individuals buying the fateful scratch-off ticket. “They left their cigarettes behind, celebrating wildly,” recounted Pierre Debuisson, Jean-David’s lawyer.
“Without them, no one would have won. We’re ready to negotiate if they come forward,” Jean-David stated on France-2.
The lawyer warns time is critical: the FDJ ticket expires unclaimed, voiding the prize. Authorities face a dual challenge—prosecuting theft while resolving ownership of the windfall. Key developments include:
- The thieves’ identities remain unknown despite nationwide alerts.
- FDJ confirms no valid claims for the €500K ticket.
- Jean-David’s police complaint could be withdrawn for a settlement.
Debuisson made a public plea: “You risk nothing... we will share with you. Change your lives now.” However, French law complicates payouts from crimes. Analysts speculate the state could confiscate the funds as unlawful profits, leaving all parties empty-handed.
This case exposes legal gray areas when stolen assets generate value. While Jean-David emphasizes fairness, prosecutors prioritize criminal accountability. As days pass, the ticking clock threatens to transform this surreal dispute into a costly legal stalemate.
