A French man whose stolen credit card was used to buy a award-winning lottery ticket offered to share Jackpot with both thieves.
The criminals robbed Jean-David Estele’s car in Toulouse on February 3 and used their credit card to buy some articles at a bar that same day, Estele lawyer Pierre Debuisson told CNN on Tuesday .
Among them was a lottery ticket that was eventually awarded 500,000 euros.
“It’s a miracle for both thieves and my client,” said Debuisson, who said Estele is offering to share the prize money with the thieves, which seem to be homeless and that have disappeared in the meantime.
French police were unable to identify the pair, despite having found fingerprints within their investigation, Debuisson said, adding that he is appealing to the thieves to present themselves.
“Without my client’s credit card, it would not have been possible to buy the ticket, but without the behavior of the thieves, the ticket would not have been bought,” said Debuisson.
“I sincerely hope that the thieves contact my office to reach an agreement that benefits them to them and my client, who, despite the crime, is extremely happy to have their credit card stolen. It’s truly unbelievable, ”he added.
Estele does not want to file a complaint and the thieves “have nothing to fear of us,” said Debuisson.
“We don’t know much about the thieves, beyond being homeless. We have some video images, but the quality is weak, ”he said, adding that the duo’s location is ‘revealing’.
Estele and his wife expect to build a new home with his half the money, Debuisson said.
“It must be the first time that an individual who has his stolen credit card has been extremely happy to be the victim of such a crime,” he added.
“I don’t think anything like this has ever happened before. I never imagined that this if you were going to gain so much attention worldwide, ”added Debuisson.
“Although it may not be the crazy case I have ever treated, it’s certainly the funniest.”
The story was recorded by the media from around the world, including China, Russia and India.
“I don’t think any of all had happened. I never imagined that this if you were going to gain so much attention worldwide, ”said Debuisson.
French National Bullies operator Française des Jeux (FDJ) said in a statement to CNN on Tuesday that she was not in a position to confirm any details of the case, since “no payment request was made.”
Normally, winning tickets must be claimed within 30 days after the end of the sale period.
Toulouse police declined to comment on the case when contacted by CNN.
