A pair of thieves in France unknowingly struck gold when they used a stolen bank card to purchase a winning lottery ticket worth €500,000 ($523,000)—but they vanished before cashing in, turning them into unlikely fugitives.
The rightful owner of the stolen card, identified as Jean-David E., is now offering to split the winnings if the culprits return the ticket and his wallet. His lawyer, Pierre Debuisson, confirmed the bizarre turn of events, stating in an AP report, “It’s an incredible story, but it’s all true.”
Jean-David’s backpack was stolen from his car in Toulouse, and by the time he reported it, he discovered that his bank card had already been used at a local shop. The shopkeeper recalled that two men, who appeared to be homeless, had used the card to buy a scratch-off ticket—and unknowingly won the massive prize.
Caught up in the excitement, they left behind their cigarettes and belongings before rushing out, according to the lawyer. However, as of Saturday, the ticket has not been redeemed, according to France’s state lottery operator La Française des Jeux (FDJ).
While police are investigating the theft, Jean-David has publicly offered to drop the case in exchange for a fair split of the prize. His lawyer has also made a national appeal, urging the thieves to step forward before the ticket expires.
“You risk nothing… we will share with you. And you would be able to change your lives,” Debuisson said, emphasizing that time is running out. However, prosecutors may seize the winnings, considering them illegally obtained.
For now, the mystery remains: will the thieves claim their fortune, or will their luck run out?
