A stolen credit card turned into an unexpected windfall when it was used to purchase a winning lottery ticket worth 500,000 euros ($525,000) at a bar in Toulouse, France. The card, belonging to Jean-Davide Estele, was taken from his car on February 3. The thieves used it to buy several items, including the fortunate lottery ticket. Despite the ongoing investigation, the perpetrators remain unidentified, and Estele has made a surprising offer: he wishes to share the jackpot with the thieves.
French police are currently on the hunt for the elusive individuals who appear to be homeless. They have found fingerprints and are appealing for the thieves to come forward. Estele's lawyer, Pierre Debuisson, is handling the case and has described the situation as a "miracle" for both his client and the thieves.
“I don’t think anything like this has ever happened before. I never imagined this case would gain so much attention worldwide,” – Debuisson
The bizarre case has captured international interest, with media coverage extending as far as China, Russia, and India. Estele has chosen not to press charges, emphasizing his willingness to make an arrangement with the thieves.
“Without my client’s credit card it would not have been possible to buy the ticket, but without the thieves’ behavior, the ticket wouldn’t have been bought either,” – Debuisson
Debuisson humorously noted that while this might not be the craziest case he's handled, it's certainly one of the funniest. The intricacies of this case have sparked global curiosity.
“While it might not be the craziest case I’ve handled, it’s certainly the funniest.” – Debuisson
The deadline for claiming the lottery winnings is approaching rapidly, with just 30 days remaining from the end of the sales period. Estele's legal representation hopes for communication from the thieves to finalize a mutually beneficial agreement.
“I really hope the thieves contact my office to strike a deal that benefits both them and my client, who, despite the crime, is extremely happy to have had his credit card stolen. It’s truly unbelievable,” – Debuisson
Despite video footage being available, its poor quality has hindered identification efforts. Yet, Debuisson remains optimistic about reaching a resolution.
“We don’t know much about the thieves beyond the fact that they are homeless. We have some video footage, but the quality is poor,” – Debuisson
