The thieves are unable to claim the winning ticket. (Picture: SYSPEO/SIPA/REX/Shutterstock)
The victim of a robbery has made an unusual proposition to the thieves who targeted him — and it’s made them the most famous fugitives in France.
The man, identified in police documents as Jean-David E, had his bag stolen from his car in Toulouse on February 3, after leaving the window open. In the bag, among other things, were his wallet and bank card.
When Jean-David asked his bank to block the card, he found it had already been used in a local shop, not far from where his car had been parked.
Two men used his card to buy €52.50 (£43.50) worth of goods, including a winning scratch card.
But when they won a whopping €500,000 (£414,000), they were so elated that they left their cigarettes and other purchases behind.
Jean-David has filed a police complaint, but has now said he will withdraw it if the thieves come forward so they can split the winnings.
Francaise des Jeux (FDJ) have frozen the winning ticket (Picture: Martin LELIEVRE/AFP)
‘It’s an incredible story, but it’s all true,’ Pierre Debuisson, Jean-David’s lawyer, said.
‘They were so totally happy that they forgot their belongings and walked out like crazy people.’
Appealing directly to the thieves, he said: ‘You risk nothing. We will share with you. And you would be able to change your lives.
‘Time is working against us,’ Pierre added, explaining that the winning ticket will eventually expire.
The thieves are currently at risk of arrest, and as of Saturday, lottery operator La Francaise des Jeux said nobody had tried to cash out the winning ticket.
The winning scratch card has been frozen by the lottery operator while the police investigation continues.
Pierre also said that without making a deal with the thieves, prosecutors could try and seize the winnings as they would consider the cash to have been illegally obtained.
He told local newspaper La Dépêche: ‘It’s out of the question they [the lottery provider] cancel it because it was bought with a stolen card.
‘Those in possession of it don’t need to worry: our proposal is simple, without my client’s money they wouldn’t have won, without them my client wouldn’t have won. It’s only logical to share it.’
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