French Man Offers to Split €500,000 Lottery Winnings with Thieves Who Stole His Credit Card
A French man, whose stolen credit card was used to purchase a winning lottery ticket, has made an unexpected offer—splitting the €500,000 ($525,000) prize with the two thieves. Despite the crime, he considers it a “miracle” and hopes they will come forward to claim their share.
A Crime That Turned Into an Unlikely Windfall
On February 3, Jean-David Estele’s car was broken into in Toulouse. The thieves used his stolen credit card to make purchases at a bar, including a lottery ticket.
Against all odds, that ticket turned out to be a jackpot winner.
An Appeal to the Missing Thieves
Estele’s lawyer, Pierre Debuisson, revealed that the criminals, who are believed to be homeless, have since disappeared. Despite police efforts, including fingerprint analysis, they remain unidentified. Hoping for a resolution, Debuisson has urged them to come forward, assuring them that Estele does not intend to press charges.
“Without my client’s credit card, it would not have been possible to buy the ticket, but without the thieves’ behavior, the ticket wouldn’t have been bought either,” Debuisson told CNN.
Unusual Generosity Amid Legal Uncertainty
Estele and his wife plan to use their share of the winnings to build a new home. Meanwhile, the case has drawn international attention, with media outlets across China, Russia, and India picking up the story.
France’s national lottery operator, Française des Jeux (FDJ), stated that no request for payment has yet been made. According to standard procedures, winners must claim their prize within 30 days after the sales period ends.
A Case That Defies Expectations
Debuisson admitted he never expected the case to gain worldwide interest.
“It must be the first time that a guy who gets his credit card stolen is extremely happy to be the victim of such a crime,” he said. “While it might not be the craziest case I’ve handled, it’s certainly the funniest.”
With the thieves still at large, the fate of the lottery jackpot remains uncertain. However, Estele’s unexpected generosity has made this an extraordinary story in legal and gaming history.
Source: CNN