A French man has made a surprising proposal after learning that his stolen credit card was used to buy a winning lottery ticket. Rather than pressing charges, Jean-David Estele, a resident of Toulouse, has offered to share the €500,000 ($525,000) jackpot with the two thieves who used his card.
Theft Leads to Unexpected Windfall
On February 3, Estele’s car was broken into, and his backpack containing his wallet was stolen. The thieves used his credit card for several small purchases at a bar and a corner shop, including cigarettes and scratch cards. One of those scratch cards turned out to be a jackpot winner.
Read More: France moves to ban marriage for undocumented migrants
According to Estele’s lawyer, Pierre Debuisson, the criminals, believed to be homeless, celebrated their win and even told the cashier about their good fortune. However, their suspicious behavior—such as struggling to enter the PIN for a different card—alerted the shop staff. After learning of the fraudulent transactions, Estele contacted his bank to block his card and later informed the police.
A Unique Proposal: Splitting the Jackpot
Rather than seeking legal action, Estele has taken an unusual approach. “Without my credit card, they wouldn’t have won, but without them, I wouldn’t have bought the ticket,” he told French media. Instead of trying to recover the full amount, he wants to share the prize money with the thieves.
His lawyer confirmed that Estele is calling for the two men to come forward, promising they have “nothing to fear” from him. However, identifying the pair has proven difficult, as police have not been able to track them down despite having fingerprint evidence and low-quality surveillance footage.
Legal Challenges and Lottery Rules
The case has attracted widespread attention, with many questioning the legal implications of Estele’s offer. Since the ticket was purchased fraudulently, the winnings may be confiscated by authorities. France’s national lottery operator, Française des Jeux (FDJ), has blocked the payout and confirmed that no claim has been made yet.
In France, lottery winners must claim their prize within 30 days of purchase. With the deadline approaching, Estele is urging the thieves to negotiate a private settlement through his lawyer. If they fail to come forward, the jackpot may remain unclaimed.
Rare Case That Captured Global Attention
The bizarre situation has drawn international interest, with media outlets in China, Russia, and India covering the story. Debuisson described the case as one of the most unusual he has handled, calling it both “miraculous” and “the funniest” legal matter he has worked on.
Read More: Paedophile French surgeon on trial for abusing almost 300 patients …
For Estele, the potential windfall is life-changing. He and his wife plan to use their share of the money to build a new house and pay off their mortgage. Meanwhile, the thieves, if they come forward, could also receive a fresh start—if the authorities allow the split to go ahead. With time running out, all eyes are on whether the two men will emerge to claim their share of an improbable fortune.