A French man, Jean-Davide Estele, had his credit card stolen by two thieves who used it to purchase a winning lottery ticket worth 500,000 euros ($525,000). The incident took place in Toulouse when the criminals broke into Estele's car and made purchases at a bar, including the lottery ticket.
Estele's lawyer, Pierre Debuisson, revealed that despite the theft, Estele is willing to split the jackpot with the thieves, who are believed to be homeless and have since disappeared. Debuisson emphasized that the thieves played a crucial role in buying the winning ticket, and he is urging them to come forward to reach a mutually beneficial agreement.
French authorities have been unable to identify the thieves, although fingerprints were found at the scene. Debuisson mentioned that Estele does not intend to press charges against the culprits and hopes to use his share of the money to build a new house with his wife.
The unusual case has garnered international attention, with media outlets from various countries reporting on the story. Despite the circumstances, Estele and his lawyer maintain a positive outlook on the situation, highlighting the unexpected turn of events surrounding the stolen credit card and the lottery win.
While the French national lottery operator, Française des Jeux (FDJ), has not confirmed any specifics of the case, it is noted that winning tickets typically need to be claimed within a specific timeframe. The outcome of this extraordinary situation remains uncertain as efforts to locate the thieves continue.
