They bought a lottery ticket with a stolen card and won $2 billion: the victim proposed something

An unusual case in France has captured the attention of the public after thieves used a stolen bank card to buy a lottery ticket , which resulted in a winning prize of 523 thousand dollars (a sum that is close to $ 2,149,644,876). However, those responsible disappeared without collecting the prize, becoming some of the most wanted fugitives in the country.

The victim, identified in police documents as Jean-David E., expressed his surprise at the situation and made it clear that he was willing to share the money with the criminals. He also expressed his hope of recovering his wallet, which was also stolen during the robbery.

As of Saturday, the operator of the state lottery La Française des Jeux (FDJ) confirmed that no one had claimed the prize. In the meantime, the authorities are trying to clarify the case and determine the legal implications of the unexpected situation.

Pierre Debuisson, Jean-David's lawyer, called the case "an incredible story, but completely true" in an interview with the Associated Press.

According to the lawyer, Jean-David discovered earlier this month that his backpack had been stolen from his car in the southern city of Toulouse . Inside the bag were his bank cards and other personal documents. When he reported the theft to his bank, he found out that the card had already been used in a local shop.

The owner of the establishment informed him that two men, apparently homeless, bought an instant lottery ticket with his card. “ They were so happy that they forgot about their cigarettes and their belongings and ran out like crazy,” Debuisson said.

Jean-David has filed a police report for the robbery, but is prepared to withdraw it if the thieves come forward to share the money. “Without them, no one would have won,” he told public broadcaster France-Deux.

However, the lawyer for the victim explained that the authorities could try to seize the prize, considering it to be the product of an illegal act. This possibility further complicates the outcome of the case and raises questions about the fate of the profits.

With the future of the prize uncertain, Jean-David's lawyer issued a national appeal on Thursday, urging the perpetrators to contact his office to find a solution. "You risk nothing... we will share with you," he said. "And it could change your lives."

Despite the unusual offer, the lawyer warned about one key factor: the bill has an expiration date. “Time is against us,” he said.

Despite the victim's willingness to share the money, criminals face a high risk if they try to collect the prize. Authorities may consider it to be ill-gotten gains, which could lead to their arrest and possible confiscation of the amount.

This case is reminiscent of a similar incident that occurred in Alicante, Spain, in December 2021, when a man stole a bag from a restaurant, unaware that it contained a lottery ticket worth 125,000 euros (approximately 150,000 dollars).

The victim, a woman identified as Remedios, reported the theft, which allowed authorities to launch an investigation. The thief was eventually arrested in May 2021.

The stolen bill was from a series sold in a local bar, which made it easier to track. The 52-year-old Peruvian had already collected the money and used part of it to buy an apartment before being captured.

The Nation (Argentina) / GDA,

*This content was rewritten with the assistance of artificial intelligence, based on information from La Nación (GDA), and was reviewed by a journalist and an editor.