In brief
Jean-David, the cardholder, seeks a 50/50 split of a €500,000 prize, while authorities investigate the case and the clock ticks on the claim deadline.
In an unusual plea, a Toulouse man whose credit card was stolen has publicly offered to share the winnings from a jackpot scratch card bought using that very card. Identified as Jean-David E, the 40-year-old believed that reaching out to the thieves, who allegedly used his stolen credit card to win a €500,000 (£413,664) prize, was a mutually beneficial solution.Jean-David made his appeal during an interview with RTL radio, suggesting that since the money would likely be confiscated by authorities, a 50/50 split could serve both parties well. “Without me, they would not have won, but without them, I would not have bought this ticket. I want to offer them to share the winnings,” he remarked.The saga began on February 3 when Jean-David discovered that his backpack had been stolen from his car. After promptly blocking his credit card, he found that €52.50 (£43.47) had been spent on contactless purchases at a local corner shop, known as Tabac des Thermes. Upon investigating, he learned that two men, whom he described as appearing to be homeless, had used his credit card to buy cigarettes and several scratch cards.The cashier became suspicious of the men when they were unable to enter the correct PIN for one of the cards. After speaking with the cashier, Jean-David informed local police, who subsequently contacted France's national lottery operator, Française des Jeux (FDJ).As the two men planned to claim their winnings, which were promptly blocked by the FDJ, Jean-David's lawyer, Pierre Debuisson, suggested an amnesty for the thieves to turn themselves in. “My client was very happy to have his credit card stolen in these circumstances and so is not looking to prosecute. This is also a miraculous opportunity for these two men to build a new life for themselves,” Debuisson explained.With the deadline for claiming the scratch card prize rapidly approaching, Jean-David reiterated his proposal: “Unless they contact my lawyer, the ticket is unusable. So why not settle amicably and do fifty-fifty?” He expressed intentions to use his share to pay off his mortgage. As authorities continue their investigation, the fate of the winnings hangs delicately in the balance.
