Thieves used a stolen credit card to buy a winning French lottery ticket worth 500,000 euros ($523,000) but vanished before they could cash it in. Now, they are some of France's most infamous fugitives. The victim of the theft, identified by police as Jean-David E., is offering to split the winnings with the lucky winners and is also eager to get his wallet back.
According to reports, Jean-David learned about the theft earlier this month after discovering his backpack, containing bank cards and other documents, had been stolen from his car parked in the southern city of Toulouse. After notifying his bank to block the stolen card, he found out it had already been used at a local shop.
It was at this shop, as detailed by his lawyer, Pierre Debuisson, where two apparently homeless men used Jean-David's credit card to purchase the winning scratch-off lottery ticket. "They were so totally happy they forgot their cigarettes and their belongings and walked out like crazy people," Debuisson recounted.
Subsequently, Jean-David filed a police complaint about the theft. Yet, he is reportedly willing to withdraw the complaint if the thieves come forward, indicating their role in the win. "Without them, no one would have won," he stated during an interview with public broadcaster France-2.
Legal experts suggest the authorities might attempt to seize the winnings, as they are viewed as illegally obtained gains. Despite this, Debuisson launched a national appeal this Thursday, encouraging the alleged perpetrators to reach out to his office to discuss the possibility of sharing the prize. "You risk nothing... we will share with you," he urged, also highlighting the life-changing potential for the thieves if they agree to collaborate.
The joker, of course, is the ticket itself. While the ticket remains valid, it will eventually expire, putting pressure on all parties involved. "Time is working against us," warned Debuisson, attempting to communicate the urgency of the situation.
This remarkable incident not only raises questions about ethics and legality but also spotlights the bizarre twists of fortune and misfortune. Could this be the start of an unusual collaboration for mutual benefit, or will the thieves remain elusive, forever labeled as fugitives of chance?