In brief
Jean-David E invites the thieves to share the €500,000 prize from a jackpot-winning scratch card purchased with his stolen credit card.
A Frenchman is extending a surprising olive branch to two thieves who used his stolen credit card to buy a winning scratch card valued at €500,000 (£413,664). Identifying himself as Jean-David E, the Toulouse man made a surprising appeal on RTL radio, suggesting he would split the winnings 50/50 if the thieves come forward. The unusual situation came to light after Jean-David discovered his backpack, including his wallet, had been stolen from his car on February 3. After blocking his credit card, he learned of an unauthorized €52.50 (£43.47) contactless purchase made at a local corner shop. Inquiring further, he found out that two men appeared to be homeless and had used his card for cigarettes and scratch cards, claiming they won the jackpot.After some suspicious behavior was noticed by the shop's cashier, Jean-David contacted police, who are currently investigating the matter. The winnings have been blocked by France's national lottery operator, Française des Jeux (FDJ), as they involve theft. His lawyer, Pierre Debuisson, is advocating for an amnesty, stating that Jean-David isn't looking to prosecute and hopes for a peaceful resolution. Jean-David plans to use his potential €250,000 share to pay off his mortgage and is eager for the thieves to approach him before the claims deadline arrives. "Unless they contact my lawyer, the ticket is unusable. So why not settle amicably and do fifty-fifty?” he mentioned, highlighting the golden opportunity for the thieves to turn their lives around.
