A robbery in Toulouse, France, has taken an unexpected turn, resulting in an intriguing and complex legal situation. Two homeless men used a stolen credit card to purchase a lottery ticket, and, unbelievably, they won €500,000.

However, the prize remains unclaimed as they fear being arrested for the theft, while the victim of the robbery, Jean-David E., has proposed sharing the prize to prevent the authorities from seizing the money.

The Robbery, the Purchase, and the Winning Ticket

The incident began on February 3rd when Jean-David E. returned to his vehicle in downtown Toulouse to find it had been broken into. His backpack, containing his bank card and personal documents, was stolen. He immediately reported the theft and blocked his card, but by then, several unauthorized purchases had already been made, totaling €52.50 through contactless payments.

The following day, while checking his bank transactions, Jean-David noticed a €50 payment at a nearby tobacco shop called Tabac des Thermes. Curious, he visited the store, where the employee informed him that the money had been used to buy a lottery ticket.

According to the shopkeeper, two men who appeared to be homeless tried to make several purchases with different cards. One transaction went through, but when they attempted another, it was rejected because they didn’t know the PIN.

What seemed to be a typical theft quickly turned into an unusual case when it was revealed that the lottery ticket purchased with the stolen card had won the top prize of €500,000.

The Fear of Being Detained

Upon learning of their unexpected windfall, the two men were invited to claim their prize at the Française des Jeux (FDJ), the official lottery provider. However, as reported by Le Parisien, they have not yet come forward, likely due to fear of being arrested for the theft. Meanwhile, Jean-David has been warned by the police that the prize money could be seized if the transaction is deemed fraudulent.

In a surprising twist, Jean-David has decided to propose a solution: he has offered to share the €500,000 with the two men, stating, “Without me, they wouldn’t have won, but without them, I wouldn’t have bought the ticket.” Jean-David has even hired a lawyer to facilitate an agreement. According to the lawyer, if the two men contact him, they would each receive €250,000.

Legal Complications: Who Owns the Prize?

The situation raises an intriguing legal dilemma: who owns the prize? The ticket was purchased with stolen money, which could invalidate the transaction and allow the FDJ to retain the funds. On the other hand, the two men who purchased the ticket are technically the legitimate winners of the prize, as the ticket was issued in their names.

Jean-David’s lawyer argues that reaching a mutual agreement would be the best solution for everyone involved. “If they don’t come forward, the money will be lost. The FDJ and the police are aware of the situation, and without a resolution, no one will be able to claim the prize,” he stated.

For now, the two winners remain silent, and Jean-David continues to wait in hopes of recovering his stolen documents. The situation, with its dramatic twists and potential for a cinematic ending, remains unresolved, leaving both the winners and the victims in a precarious limbo.

This unusual case serves as a reminder of how even the most unexpected circumstances can lead to dramatic outcomes, and how legal complexities can complicate matters even further. Will the two men claim their prize, or will Jean-David’s generous offer help resolve this bizarre turn of events? Only time will tell.

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