Australian woman's winnings stolen after she posts selfie with winning ticket

Nov 4, 2015, 9:22 am (35 comments)

International

Includes audio report

By Todd Northrop

A Perth, Australia, woman who won $825 on the Melbourne Cup horse race was shocked to find someone else claimed her winnings before she could, using details from her celebratory Facebook selfie.

Chantelle told radio station Triple M she was thrilled to have won hundreds after picking 101-to-1 shot Cup winner Prince of Penzance.

She posted a selfie of herself posing with the winning ticket to celebrate. "When we found out we naturally took a bit of a selfie to show my friends," Chantelle said. 

However, she did not realize that the image of the barcode could be used to claim her winnings at a machine.

When she tried to claim the money, she was told someone else had beaten her to it. "Someone had a pretty good game at filtering my picture and cutting out my barcode and putting it into an automated machine," the distraught winner said.

According to Chantelle, the culprit is likely one of her Facebook friends.

"To the low life who is obviously my friend on Facebook and used my photo to claim our winnings. You're a massive d---. You ruined my day," she wrote on Facebook. "I might need a bit of a Facebook cull now," she added.

She also told Triple M that police had been able to track the claim and are investigating.

The incident served as a warning to social media users posting seemingly innocuous images that may contain sensitive information.

Facebook users were sympathetic and scathing in equal measure once the radio station posted the story online. 

"Wow what a sc--bag," wrote one user.

"Wow !!! Who need enemies with a 'friend' like that? [sic]" posted another.

Then came: "stupidity at its worst. Moron."

"Bahahahaha serves her right," read another comment. 

AUDIO: Listen to the radio report

News story photo(Click to display full-size in gallery)

 Thanks to hearsetrax for the tip.

Lottery Post Staff

Comments

haymaker's avatarhaymaker

WTF ?

I thought these people had an anonymity option !

 

I have to agree w/the "serves her right " comment.

Gleno's avatarGleno

Not a good idea to advertise our winnings on any media venue.

Winners should beware and be wise.

Bang Head

noise-gate

The same is also true by telling folks on FB that you & the entire family are going on a 3 weeks vacation to Europe. Unfortunately some  have returned to ransacked homes all because of " advertising your  joy " to the world.Thieves love it when idiots do half their planning.

JADELottery's avatarJADELottery

It's Expensive being Stupid and Selfieish.

We post our winning tickets, no matter what the prize size, either after we claim the winnings or blurring critical information like ticket confirmation numbers / barcodes.

Tony Numbers's avatarTony Numbers

This is so funny, what an idiot,don't worry these idiots will continue to post all their personal exploits on social media sites for all to take advantage of them hahahaha.

Raven62's avatarRaven62

Life is the hardest teacher, it gives the test first and the lesson later.

Coin Toss's avatarCoin Toss

Quote: Originally posted by haymaker on Nov 4, 2015

WTF ?

I thought these people had an anonymity option !

 

I have to agree w/the "serves her right " comment.

I think they do have anonymity but even so that wouldn't stop someone from doing what she did on FB.

music*'s avatarmusic*

Troll As author Don McNay says, "Don't flash your cash in public."

  This could be called bragging about how much money you have.See Ya!

luckyshoes's avatarluckyshoes

Quote: Originally posted by music* on Nov 4, 2015

Troll As author Don McNay says, "Don't flash your cash in public."

  This could be called bragging about how much money you have.See Ya!

I Agree!

RedStang's avatarRedStang

Makes no sense. She's saying while their at the track they posted a pic, someone reverse copied it and ran down to the track and cashed it. Most people would cash it right away.

zephbe's avatarzephbe

The first person she should have shared her good news with was someone at the lottery office who could pay her claim.  Let it be a lesson to the next one who posts everything.

haymaker's avatarhaymaker

Quote: Originally posted by Coin Toss on Nov 4, 2015

I think they do have anonymity but even so that wouldn't stop someone from doing what she did on FB.

That's true, she would have blabbed on FB even if it was 825MIL.

She should look at this as a $ 825 invoice for her 15 minutes,

even though she's famous for being stupid.

hearsetrax's avatarhearsetrax

Quote: Originally posted by JADELottery on Nov 4, 2015

It's Expensive being Stupid and Selfieish.

We post our winning tickets, no matter what the prize size, either after we claim the winnings or blurring critical information like ticket confirmation numbers / barcodes.

indeed ...... I hope shes learned her lesson and learned it well

Skeptical but from the looks of that facebook mugshot  , I doubt she will

haymaker's avatarhaymaker

Quote: Originally posted by JADELottery on Nov 4, 2015

It's Expensive being Stupid and Selfieish.

We post our winning tickets, no matter what the prize size, either after we claim the winnings or blurring critical information like ticket confirmation numbers / barcodes.

LOL !

Good one JadeLottery,

"Selfieish"   initially I thought it was a typo, but it's a good description for anyone that's completely SELF absorbed.

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