A Frenchman, identified as Jean-David E, has made a unique offer to two thieves who used his stolen credit card to purchase a jackpot-winning scratch card. He has promised to split the €500,000 prize with them if they come forward.
Jean-David explained his rationale for the offer, stating that without him, the thieves would not have won the money, but without them, he would not have bought the ticket. He expressed his willingness to share the winnings as the money would otherwise be seized by the authorities.
The incident unfolded when Jean-David discovered that his backpack, containing his wallet, had been stolen from his car parked in central Toulouse on 3 February. After blocking his credit card, he found out that it had been used for a €52.50 transaction at a nearby corner shop called Tabac des Thermes.
Upon investigation, Jean-David learned from the shop’s cashier that two men, who seemed homeless, had used his credit card to purchase cigarettes and scratch cards. The men claimed to have won the €500,000 jackpot on one of the cards and planned to claim their prize from the national lottery operator, Française des Jeux (FDJ).
However, the cashier found their behavior suspicious as they were unable to enter the PIN for one of the cards they tried to purchase. Jean-David alerted the police, who in turn informed the FDJ about the situation.
With the deadline for claiming the winnings fast approaching, Jean-David’s lawyer suggested an amnesty for the thieves. He emphasized that Jean-David was not looking to press charges and saw the situation as an opportunity for the men to start afresh.
Jean-David proposed a 50-50 split of the prize money, amounting to €250,000 each. He mentioned that he intended to use his share to pay off his mortgage. The FDJ and Toulouse police have been contacted for further comments on the matter.
In conclusion, Jean-David’s offer to share the jackpot winnings with the thieves who used his stolen credit card adds an unexpected twist to the story. The outcome remains uncertain as the deadline for claiming the prize draws near. Only time will tell if the thieves will come forward to accept Jean-David’s proposal.
