In brief
In a bizarre twist of fate, a French resident is reaching out to two thieves who used his stolen credit card to buy a jackpot-winning scratch card, proposing a 50/50 split of the €500,000 prize. The individual, identified as Jean-David E. from Toulouse, made the offer on RTL radio, arguing that while they facilitated the win through theft, he technically funded the ticket.
Jean-David's unfortunate experience began when his backpack was stolen from his car on February 3. After blocking his credit card, he quickly discovered unauthorized charges totaling €52.50 at a local shop for cigarettes and scratch cards. Upon investigation, he learned that two men, believed to be homeless, had purchased the cards and claimed to have won the substantial jackpot. As the winning ticket remains unclaimed and blocked by the French lottery operator Française des Jeux (FDJ), Jean-David is keen to avoid bureaucratic seizure of the funds, proffering a chance for the thieves to claim their half. He expressed a willingness not to pursue charges, highlighting the opportunity it presents for them to turn their lives around. "Without me, they would not have won, but without them, I would not have bought this ticket," Jean-David stated, emphasizing the peculiar partnership. With a 30-day claiming deadline approaching, he urges the thieves to come forward and consider a peaceful resolution.
