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Eastern Time (GMT-5:00) | Lottery retailers busted in raid Scam Alert: Lottery retailers busted in raid4.56 Rating:Store owners, clerks accused of stealing winning tickets FRESNO, Calif. — Lottery officials raided several mini marts Tuesday in Fresno, California. Owners and clerks were taken away in handcuffs after undercover investigators say the suspects cheated would-be customers by lying about winning tickets. Late last year officers posing as consumers showed up at many local mini marts to test their honesty. More than a dozen store owners and employees failed. Today, authorities caught up with them at the businesses they are accused of cheating potential customers. One woman cried as she was taken to jail. Her father in law didn't say anything as he was loaded into a police patty wagon. Lottery officials said the pair attempted to steal $1,000 dollars by turning in a winning lottery ticket brought in by an undercover police officer. They told the officer the ticket was worthless, then kept it and claimed the winnings themselves. "Sometimes the tickets might be confusing to some people or they are might be in a hurry. They are trusting the person behind the counter is going to tell them the proper amount," said Bill Hertogue with the California Lottery. Unfortunately not everyone is playing by the rules. Frequent lottery players we talked to at this Tesoro mini mart said this store was not one of their luckiest. Sontaya asks, "have you ever won?" nope, not even two dollars, that's the reason I quit buying here." Not only are the owners and store clerks facing serious criminal charges, they can no longer sell lottery tickets. In fact, just as the arrests were made, technicians carted away lottery ticket machines and equipment, including satellite technology from the roof. Omar Casillas said he makes a habit of checking his tickets himself. "For that reason, for that same reason, you never know, ah, you didn't win and he keeps the ticket. See that's just what happened right here. So that's why they made the machines available and people should use them." Lottery officials said it's best to check your tickets yourself and sign them immediately if they are winners. Otherwise you could be the one getting played. "You don't know the extent or how long this has been going on. Of course when you ask them this is the first and only time they've done this but you can't be for sure," said Hertogue. The stores busted are also in jeopardy of losing their liquor license. Lottery representatives said the bogus tickets used in the sting appeared to be $1,000 dollar winners so many of the suspects will be charged with attempted grand theft. Thanks to TigerAngel for the tip. KFSN We'd love to see your comments here! Register for a FREE membership — it takes just a few moments — and you'll be able to post comments here and on any of our forums. If you're already a member, you can Log In to post a comment. 44 comments. Last comment 4 years ago by . Chief Bottle Washer New Jersey United States Member #1 May 31, 2000 20636 Posts Offline | | Posted: January 22, 2009, 12:36 pm - IP Logged | |
I love this story, because the crooks are nabbed, and people get educated about checking their tickets. What do you think of my new "SCAM" graphic?  | | |
Hard Luck, Ak United States Member #23813 October 13, 2005 232 Posts Offline | | Posted: January 22, 2009, 12:37 pm - IP Logged | |
"Winners never cheat and cheaters never win!" When will people learn?  | | |
United States Member #91 January 19, 2002 8910 Posts Offline | | Posted: January 22, 2009, 1:47 pm - IP Logged | |
The domino effect: felony charges, and if you own the store: 1. You lose your lottery license 2. You might lose any liquor license you have.... 3. You'll definitley lose most of your customer base.... Was that really worth it? Some people just don't see it! P.S. Nice "SCAM" graphic Todd "Everybody has to believe in something...I believe I'll have another beer!" = W.C.Fields | | |
Dallas, TX United States Member #60771 April 12, 2008 3857 Posts Offline | | Posted: January 22, 2009, 1:56 pm - IP Logged | |
The odds already agaisnt players, and come to find this...>_< | | |
NY United States Member #54982 August 21, 2007 6028 Posts Offline | | Posted: January 22, 2009, 2:06 pm - IP Logged | |
I love this story, because the crooks are nabbed, and people get educated about checking their tickets. What do you think of my new "SCAM" graphic? I agree. I also love this story because the crooks are caught. Good job by the undercover investigators & they deserve a reward themselves, because they may have prevented other people from getting ripped off by these criminals in the future. | | |
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North Charleston, SC United States Member #69716 January 6, 2009 45 Posts Offline | | Posted: January 22, 2009, 2:14 pm - IP Logged | |
I'm all about busting some bad guys, especially lottery ticket thieves... ...but doesn't this ring of 'entrapment'? Isn't entrapment when a police officer entices someone to commit a crime that otherwise would have been unlikely? Of course, maybe they are assuming that this was as likely a case as any other? Also, I'm curious as to how they can charge someone with 'grand larceny' just because something *appeared* to be worth a lot of money (the fake $1000 lottery tickets they used). So, if I have a fake gold watch on, with fake diamonds, that's worth all of $30 and someone steals it from me thinking it's real... they can be charged with 'grand larceny'? That doesn't sound right. But, overall, I'm glad these guys got busted and I hope this gets blown up. The lottery is enough of a robbery as it is, without crooks actually sealing the deal. | | |
Atlanta, GA United States Member #1288 March 13, 2003 3316 Posts Offline | | Posted: January 22, 2009, 3:11 pm - IP Logged | |
Very nice graphic!!! Perhaps there had been reports to law enforcement of winning tickets having been kept which is why they sent them in to get "proof." Think the "worthless ticket" was a real $1000 winner that an undercover officer was told by a dishonest clerk that it was not a winner. Shame on them for cheating customers, but they'll probably have a long time to think about their actions.  Good luck to everyone!
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United States Member #91 January 19, 2002 8910 Posts Offline | | Posted: January 22, 2009, 3:11 pm - IP Logged | |
I don't think its entrapment, they went in and tried to cash a lottery ticket...The clerk said it's not a winner. Now either the clerk can't tell the difference or he knows its a winner and tells him its not worth anything. Grand Larcency comes in when the clerk himself puts in a claim for the $1,000.00 at the lottery commision. If nobody puts in a claim for the $1,000 ticket than a mistake has been made. no harm no foul.... "Everybody has to believe in something...I believe I'll have another beer!" = W.C.Fields | | |
United States Member #63852 July 26, 2008 1427 Posts Offline | | Posted: January 22, 2009, 4:03 pm - IP Logged | |
I love this story, because the crooks are nabbed, and people get educated about checking their tickets. What do you think of my new "SCAM" graphic? What do you think of my new "SCAM" graphic - Nice Todd! Draws attention to what you should be looking out for. As for getting paid in Pennsylvania its easy they print out a paid ticket and the money at the same time. Or they will give you a 'no winner'. The ONLY thing that I'm getting upset with some of the lottery retailers is not being paid in cash but with a money orders or check. I didn't play with either and take offense that they do that. I will not cash my ticket at those places and do not return to play again. I can see that they do not want to keep large amount of cash on hand in some places, but they could ask you to come back the next day and get it, but they won't even do that. IF anyone that has their tickets checked by a clerk they should ask for the ticket BACK and not let them keep it - its YOURS get it back. That will shrink fraud. | | |
Charlotte NC United States Member #17704 June 18, 2005 4010 Posts Offline | | Posted: January 22, 2009, 4:25 pm - IP Logged | |
Goody, goody, goody they got busted. Hopely it is spread all of the news so that others are warned and people will start signing their tickets, asking for their tickets back, or just checking their own numbers. I hope the crooks get a lot of jail time, have to pay a lot of money (much much more than they stole) on top of losing creditablity, lottery license and liquor license. Actually they should not be allowed to be in business. That will show them not to prey on the ignorance of others. | | |
United States Member #47874 November 4, 2006 3930 Posts Offline | | Posted: January 22, 2009, 4:46 pm - IP Logged | |
Check your numbers and deal with someone you trust..It's so easy.. | | |
mid-Ohio United States Member #9 March 24, 2001 15944 Posts Offline | | Posted: January 22, 2009, 5:03 pm - IP Logged | |
Check your numbers and deal with someone you trust..It's so easy.. This should also be warning for retailers to only steel from customers they know other wise they could be dealing with the law. * The fundamentals of winning a lottery jackpot *
* play a lottery you can win *
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United States
Member #59008
February 18, 2008
710 Posts
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| | Posted: January 22, 2009, 5:08 pm - IP Logged | |
I love this story, because the crooks are nabbed, and people get educated about checking their tickets. What do you think of my new "SCAM" graphic? I love it when crooks get hauled away in handcuffs and paddy wagons. Nice graphic,Todd. | | |
Kennesaw, GA United States Member #62625 June 18, 2008 1310 Posts Offline | | Posted: January 22, 2009, 5:18 pm - IP Logged | |
I went to one retailer and they tried to give me less on my winnings, and then he said honest mistake, i never go back there to claim tickets at all..maybe i should report them............but that taught me to ask for a claim reciept on all my tickets, i trust no one | | |
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