Fortune from Misfortune: A Tale of Unlikely Riches in France

A stolen bank card led to the purchase of a winning lottery ticket worth €500,000 ($523,000). The rightful owner of the card, identified in legal documents as Jean-David E., is now proposing an unconventional resolution. He wishes to share the winnings with the individuals who used his card, provided they return his wallet.

The incident began earlier this month in Toulouse, a city in southern France, when Jean-David’s backpack was stolen from his vehicle. The bag contained his bank cards and personal documents. Upon realizing the theft, Jean-David promptly contacted his bank to block the card, only to discover it had already been used at a local shop.

According to Jean-David’s attorney, Pierre Debuisson, the shopkeeper recounted that two men, appearing to be homeless, used the stolen card to purchase a scratch-off lottery ticket. Remarkably, this ticket turned out to be the jackpot winner. Overwhelmed with joy, the men reportedly left the store in such haste that they forgot their cigarettes and other belongings.

Jean-David has since filed a police report regarding the theft. However, he has expressed a willingness to withdraw the complaint if the individuals come forward, allowing for an equitable division of the lottery prize. “Without them, no one would have won,” Jean-David remarked on France-2, a public broadcasting channel.

The state lottery operator, La Française des Jeux (FDJ), has confirmed that the winning ticket remains unclaimed. Legal experts caution that authorities might consider the winnings as illicit gains, subject to seizure. In light of this, Attorney Debuisson has issued a public appeal, urging the ticket holders to contact his office to negotiate a settlement. “You risk nothing… we will share with you,” he stated, emphasizing the opportunity for the individuals to transform their lives. Time is of the essence, as lottery tickets have expiration dates.