Huge theft became too big not to notice
By Kate Northrop
MIAMI, Fla. — An employee at a Florida Lottery retailer was arrested after admitting to stealing an egregious number of lottery tickets totaling $300,000 in value.
Miami police apprehended a convenience store manager after he was ousted for his massive $300,000 lottery ticket theft.
Rakesh Tanguturi, 34, was handed charges of Organized Fraud of $50,000 or more and Grand Theft in the 2nd Degree this week, the result of a recent investigation into a suspiciously large amount of missing funds and a bulk submission of winning lottery tickets.
Tanguturi worked as a store manager for Bargain Stop 2 on Northwest 62nd Street in Miami when the store's owner contacted authorities about "suspicious financial activity" in January. It was discovered that thousands of dollars had been withdrawn from the retailer's bank account for Florida Lottery-related transactions.
The store owner confronted Tanguturi about the significant gap in funds, and he denied any involvement or wrongdoing, court documents say.
From there, the owner reached out to the Florida Lottery to find out whether tickets had been wrongly purchased, activated, and redeemed and let Tanguturi know that the agency was now involved.
Tanguturi sent the owner a text message about a week later admitting to stealing scratch-off tickets, cashing them, and using the winnings for personal expenses, records state.
One day later, the store owner saw an additional $60,549.95 related to lottery tickets withdrawn from the retailer's bank account.
Miami police were in touch with the owner throughout, who then reinitiated contact to let authorities know that they had both a written confession from Tangaturi as well as a verbal confession to both them and a Florida Lottery investigator. They provided documentation of the fraudulent bank transactions, which recorded the books of stolen scratch-off tickets.
On Feb. 23, the owner reached out again to Miami police to advise them that they had arranged for another store manager to replace Tanguturi and that they were ready for an arrest to be made. Responders were sent to Bargain Stop 2 and arrested Tanguturi after he was identified by the retailer owner.
The former manager explained in a police interview that he was motivated to steal the tickets because of "the need to pay for medical for his father in India, who has since passed away," the arrest affidavit states.
He went on to say that he had begun repaying the store after accruing a debt in the store's name of more than $60,000 and requested to be placed on a payment plan to repay the remaining balance.
That was when Tanguturi revealed he had stolen $300,000 in lottery tickets. However, the winnings offset part of the loss to reflect an actual theft of $60,546.95, documents show.
"I contacted the victim [store owner], who advised that funds previously paid by Tanguturi were applied toward unpaid utility bills and other overdue operational expenses that Tanguturi failed to maintain while managing the store," Miami Police Department Detective Estape wrote.
A Lottery investigator additionally confirmed that the stolen books of scratch-off tickets were "cashed in bulk at a single retailer," an unusual pattern that might indicate fraudulent activity. The Lottery advised the detective that they would not be responsible for the debt owed.
Tanguturi's charge of Organized Fraud of $50,000 is considered a first-degree felony and carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison. His second charge of Grand Theft in the 2nd Degree is a second-degree felony that carries a maximum prison sentence of 15 years.
Tanguturi is currently being held at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in Miami. His records indicate that he would next be held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) should he post bond or be released on his criminal charges. No bond has been set at this point.
Update: According to online records, Tanguturi has been released from prison on a $15,000 bond and is currently in ICE custody at the Florida Soft Side South detention center in Ochopee.
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Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.
Greed got the man and electronic trial led straight to him. Good Manager catching missing funds.
What is his largest lottery win from fraudulent tickets?
Those winnings he claimed "offset the losses" didn't really, because those winnings were actually stolen from legitimate customers, or players.
Deport him, he took advantage of a Country that offered him a good life.
How do illegal aliens get job clearances? I have had to do I 9 forms and update the ID info yearly. I wonder if an action or penalty can be charged to the owner who hired him?
This is why I ask via email to someone in a supervisory capacity ( if I have workers in my home such as contractors) if their employees are in compliance with all federal laws. I cover all bases with this question.
* Wow, Tang's charges carry a 30 year sentence. Yet Eddie Tipton served under 5 years for bilking the lottery of Millions. 😳
I believe another store in Miami did the same accept he is stealing from the customers on NW 2nd Ave opposite the Jamaican two story restaurant. When I checked my tickets I was supposed to receive a certain amount of funds but he said it was only an amount under $20.00
Yikes! Have you seen this happen multiple times, or have you tried reporting it to the Florida Lottery?
Why is he in ICE custody? Is he here illegally?
If he is here legally, he is subject to ICE scrutiny if he's accused of a crime. He could also be deported if he is convicted.
He would first have to have his work visa or green card cancelled in immigration court. This would normally be done while he is in jail on state charges. But of course our lovely administration has a "shoot first, ask questions later" attitude where they lock up anyone and worry about due process later.