Bar Owners Scammed Lottery Winner Out of $12M


Published on: November 7, 2024, 07:12h. 

Last updated on: November 7, 2024, 07:12h.

A couple from Spain, owners of a bar in Pedralba, Valencia, have been sentenced to three years in prison for attempting to deceive a lottery winner out of €11 million (US$12 million).

Lotería Nacional, Spain, Pedralba
Spanish lottery tickets use a quirky number system that was exploited by two bar owners in order to deprive their victim of €11 million. (Image: Maspalomas)

The victim, a regular at the bar, purchased lottery tickets from the couple and entrusted them with her tickets for safekeeping, as was common practice among patrons. When the draw took place, it was revealed that she had won the €14.8 million (US$16 million) jackpot.

Deceptive Scheme

During the draw, it was discovered that the winning number was shared by multiple tickets, including those of the victim and the bar owners. The couple coerced the victim into splitting the prize with them and another regular at the bar, claiming that the tickets had been mixed up and the true winner couldn’t be determined.

The Lotería Nacional draws are based on a five-digit number system, with each number printed multiple times in different series. Matching the ticket number and series number is required to win the jackpot.

The judge ruled in favor of the victim, declaring that she was misled into believing the tickets had been mixed up and was entitled to the full prize. The couple’s fraudulent actions were exposed, and the victim was awarded the entire jackpot.

Legal representatives for the victim criticized the length of the case, which lasted six years, as being excessively long for a case of low complexity.



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