A French man's stolen credit card unexpectedly led to a windfall when two thieves used it to purchase a winning lottery ticket valued at 500,000 euros ($523,000). The card belonged to Jean-David E., who discovered his backpack missing from his car earlier this month in Toulouse. The backpack contained his bank cards and other essential documents.
The incident unfolded when a vendor at a local shop reported that two homeless men used one of Jean-David's stolen cards to buy a scratch-off lottery ticket. To everyone's surprise, the ticket turned out to be a winner. Despite their good fortune, the thieves have not yet claimed the prize, according to La Française des Jeux (FDJ), the state lottery operator.
In an unusual twist, Jean-David has expressed his willingness to share the winnings with the perpetrators. His lawyer, Pierre Debuisson, has initiated a national appeal to locate the thieves. Debuisson extended an olive branch by requesting the men contact his office to negotiate a deal.
"You risk nothing … we will share with you," – Pierre Debuisson
Jean-David's magnanimous offer comes with a condition; he has filed a police complaint regarding the theft but is prepared to withdraw it if the thieves come forward. This remarkable circumstance has made the anonymous lottery winners famous across France.
Jean-David acted swiftly upon realizing the theft, contacting his bank to block the stolen card. However, it was already too late as the card had been used at a local shop. Despite the unusual nature of this case, the thieves have remained elusive, disappearing before attempting to cash in on their unexpected fortune.
