A stolen card, a winning ticket, and vanished thieves
PARIS — In a bizarre turn of events, thieves used a stolen bank card to purchase a winning French lottery ticket worth 500,000 euros ($523,000). But before they could claim their fortune, they disappeared, leaving them among France’s most sought-after fugitives.
Meanwhile, the card’s rightful owner, identified as Jean-David E., is extending an unexpected offer—he’s willing to split the winnings with the thieves if they return his wallet.
“Without them, no one would have won”
Despite filing a police report, Jean-David is prepared to drop the charges if the perpetrators come forward.
“Without them, no one would have won,” Jean-David told public broadcaster France-2.
His lawyer, Pierre Debuisson, confirmed that the French lottery operator, La Française des Jeux (FDJ), has yet to receive the winning ticket for cashing out.
A lucky accident turns into a national mystery
Jean-David’s ordeal began when his backpack was stolen from his car in Toulouse earlier this month. By the time he reported the theft to his bank, the card had already been used at a local shop—where two homeless men unknowingly purchased the winning scratch-off ticket.
According to the shop’s vendor, the moment they realized they had won, the two men were so ecstatic they forgot their cigarettes and belongings, running out in sheer excitement.
A race against time
Legal experts warn that prosecutors could seize the winnings, as they were obtained through illegal means. However, Jean-David’s lawyer launched a public appeal, urging the thieves to come forward before it’s too late.
“You risk nothing … we will share with you,” Debuisson said. “This money could change your lives.”
With the ticket’s expiration date looming, time is running out.
“Time is working against us,” the lawyer warned.
The question remains—will the thieves return before the winnings slip away forever?
