Man charged with forging lottery ticket claims it was a joke

Comment #36

libra926 — Sun, 09 Apr 2006 19:35:22 GMT

4/9/2006

HAPPY 'PALM SUNDAY' JUST.......

YES MY FRIEND.....you are reading my mind on this Prize Winning issue. However, while I can understand that they might want to run a 'criminal background check' or 'Back Alimoney Payments/Back Child Support Payments check ' I see no reason for them to run any other kind of check on us. Your credit History is 'your business'....and has nothing to do with winning anything.....'even a bean contest'. (I won that once when I was a kid) I mean to sa... [ More ]

Comment #35

Lurk More N00b — Sun, 09 Apr 2006 01:18:11 GMT

"As I've said in many posts about various articles, we don't know what really happened except what is reported..."

The comments that follow an article are based on the "facts" that are presented in the story. I agree that "facts" are often misrepresented in the press and should be taken with a grain of salt. Unless people want to do their own research into the matter, it is the original story on which they will base their comments. The original story, whether factual or false, is what's be... [ More ]

Comment #34

RJOh — Sun, 09 Apr 2006 00:31:26 GMT

It's the consequences of temptation that make people think before acting.

All lottery players buy tickets with their hard earn money and some who lose feel like a poor slob that been duped but that's no excuse to fake winning to steel thousands of dollars. The women in Cleveland who fake loosing the winning MM ticket a year ago probably felt the same even though she never showed up to make a claim. Lotteries probably run into these type of scams all the time, if they did nothing there would... [ More ]

Comment #33

justxploring — Sat, 08 Apr 2006 23:04:41 GMT

RJOh, you just reminded me of an episode on The Practice a few years ago. A businessman who was a law abiding taxpayer and didn't even have a traffic violation was at a hotel bar and a beautiful woman flirted with him. When he was on the witness stand he was furious that he had been charged, since he had been minding his own business and was tempted by this undercover cop. He became very interested in this woman and they had a drink together. He said he was a little hurt and disappointed when he... [ More ]

Comment #32

RJOh — Sat, 08 Apr 2006 22:47:25 GMT

This story reminds me of an crime warning that use to be popular a few years ago. It was Don't leave keys in your car and help a good kid go bad . What good kid goes around looking for cars to steel? A car with keys in it belongs to somebody and a thief knows it doesn't belong to him. Everyone knows a winning ticket have to be purchased by someone, they just don't show up when you and your buddies need some money.

Comment #31

justxploring — Sat, 08 Apr 2006 22:06:46 GMT

As I've said in many posts about various articles, we don't know what really happened except what is reported, and I don't trust everything I read. This probably started out as a prank that went too far. Maybe not. It's possible that I give people too much credit, but it's difficult for me to believe anyone would be stupid enough to think he could fool the lottery my making a fake ticket. I wonder if this guy prints $20 bills in his garage! Anyone with an IQ knows that the tickets are purchased... [ More ]

Comment #30

Lurk More N00b — Sat, 08 Apr 2006 20:23:53 GMT

First of all, that's not a riddle. It's merely a question of Mr. Joe Average being able to determine a counterfeit bill from the genuine article. Second, the gentleman that tried to cash the ticket seems to have been duped and perhaps should be exonerated. I won't speculate as to his innocence. The guy that made the fake, having allowed the first person to attempt to cash the ticket should be charged with fraud and attempted grand larceny. It sounds as though he genuinely wanted to defraud the... [ More ]

Comment #29

justxploring — Sat, 08 Apr 2006 06:53:25 GMT

Charges against the victim should have been dropped as soon as it was discovered he had nothing to do with making the fake ticket. If the lottery doesn't know money makes people do strange things by now they should get out of the greed business.

He was the unfortunate victim of a prank and should get a slap on the wrist. Maybe even probation and community service. He probably shouldn't have lied and admitted he found it, but I don't think he should get jail time. If I found a wallet with a... [ More ]

Comment #28

BobP — Sat, 08 Apr 2006 05:06:37 GMT

Charges against the victim should have been dropped as soon as it was discovered he had nothing to do with making the fake ticket. If the lottery doesn't know money makes people do strange things by now they should get out of the greed business.

Anyone who wins big through a ticket buying service might to have to say they bought the ticket or take the chance the lottery won't pay it like happened in Texas.

A lottery ticket is supposed to be a bearer intrument. Even if you said you found... [ More ]

Comment #27

dvdiva — Sat, 08 Apr 2006 04:28:47 GMT

It looks like a joke with a really long punchline.

Comment #26

LckyLary — Sat, 08 Apr 2006 01:32:41 GMT

If I found a ticket like that.. I would have been trying to figure out who it belonged to. If no one claimed it maybe have the agent it supposedly sold at to check it using the barcode or serial # (not saying anything else about it). Being it was copied from a non-winner it would have simply said sorry - not a winner . I'd also be able to tell if it was Photoshop'ed.

The reason the victim was duped is because he tried to take something not meant for him. If that was a real ticket it wasn't h... [ More ]

Comment #25

TheGameGrl — Sat, 08 Apr 2006 00:14:34 GMT

I disagree with the wisdom: Never cash in a ticket you didnt buy. My cousin buys tickets and hands them out each christmas. we all delight in seeing who gets winners! the philosphy then would mean we cant cash in our claims because we didn't buy them? Please. Being cautious is one thing. Making a blanket statement seems over the edge on this matter.

As to the two fellows being charged. I ask you this riddle. You are handed a ten dollar bill in change from a purchase at the grocery store. I... [ More ]

Comment #24

SassyOhio — Fri, 07 Apr 2006 15:36:25 GMT

Ohhhh Ok, well i knew that they had to activate them yes , So SOMEONE stole them and they werent activated and decided to turn the one they found in LMAO NOW THATS GOTTA SUCK =))=))=)) Sucked to be them! I mean I can see both sides ... 99 % of people who play lotto CHECK THERE STUFF REAL WELL. But ya never know when a Elderly person with bad eyes or little to no knowledge may sratch it off and not realize it is a winner and well its jut your lucky day. But on the same sense I wouldnt even t... [ More ]

Comment #23

LOTTOMIKE — Fri, 07 Apr 2006 14:51:08 GMT

needs to go to jail.do not pass go.do not collect lottery winnings.....

Comment #22

Raven62 — Fri, 07 Apr 2006 14:33:37 GMT

Before your Lottery Agent puts the Pack of Tickets out ForSale: He scans the Pack to Activate the Numbers in the Lottery System: In other words: If the Pack isn't Activated all the Tickets in that pack are considered Stolen.

Comment #21

SassyOhio — Fri, 07 Apr 2006 14:20:01 GMT

ok, what I dont understand about that is how do they know if a scratch of is stolen? When I buy my scratch offs they dont scan them in as paid for they just ring them up and I pay and off I go

Comment #20

Raven62 — Fri, 07 Apr 2006 13:43:02 GMT

Quote: Originally posted by four4me on April 7, 2006In Maryland when you go to lotto headquarters they run your social security number your driver license number and any other numbers associated to you. They know within minutes what you owe if you owe or if there are warrants for you, outstanding parking tickets, judgments the works. This is a state run office.

I know guys that thought they would fool the system get someone else to cash their ticket. And when the second party went in to cash... [ More ]

Comment #19

starchild_45 — Fri, 07 Apr 2006 13:27:40 GMT

i found a two dollar scratch ticket on the road and took it to a store and i couldn't cash it. i then took it to the lotto office and found out it was a stolen ticket. she asked me where did i get the ticket and i told her on the ground near my house. then she told me it was a stolen ticket. i said just keep it because i didn't need any problems. not for two dollars.

Comment #18

four4me — Fri, 07 Apr 2006 07:15:57 GMT

In Maryland when you go to lotto headquarters they run your social security number your driver license number and any other numbers associated to you. They know within minutes what you owe if you owe or if there are warrants for you, outstanding parking tickets, judgments the works. This is a state run office.

I know guys that thought they would fool the system get someone else to cash their ticket. And when the second party went in to cash his friends ticket this guy owed like 2,000 dollars... [ More ]

Comment #17

RJOh — Fri, 07 Apr 2006 05:23:37 GMT

It's my understanding that in both MegaMillions and PowerBall other than the jackpot, prizes are paid by the State that sells the winning tickets. The states contribute ~30% of sales to the jackpot and use the 20% left after taking their 50% to pay the lower tiers winners. That's the reason California have a different system for its winners, only the jackpot winners are paid the same in all states.

Obvious when these guys tried to cash in their ticket, the state wasn't expecting a winner fr... [ More ]

Comment #16

KY Floyd — Fri, 07 Apr 2006 04:44:59 GMT

It was only after more leads surfaced that authorities changed the charges to making unsworn falsification, which carries a two-year maximum.

Here's what the coworker was charged with. I'd guess that when he turned in the ticket lottery officials asked him questions as part of the normal verification process, and the questions included things like whether he was the lawful owner of the ticket and if he was the one who purchased the ticket. Saying you didn't buy it and aren't the lawful owner... [ More ]

Comment #15

SassyOhio — Fri, 07 Apr 2006 00:02:48 GMT

That is the way that it is in Ohio we have to wait 4 to 6 weeks for the money because they do have to collect the money from the other states as well but hell now a days just telling people and vendors and stuff like that you won is just as good as the check .. if I win I will straight live on the credit of the title the Lottery Winner lol but yeah it is bad but we do have to wait

Comment #14

justxploring — Thu, 06 Apr 2006 23:36:53 GMT

But, can we start spending the money, as soon as the Lottery officials write the check??

Good question, Libra! Before claiming my prize I would definitely give notice and move out of my apartment, but I'd need money to live on. Maybe that's why people always say to act normally, don't tell anyone, and keep your job, but I'd probably just use my Visa for a month. I always assumed it would be available a few days after the money was claimed, but I guess I was wrong. 4 to 6 weeks seems li... [ More ]

Comment #13

justxploring — Thu, 06 Apr 2006 23:18:59 GMT

Miller is awaiting a May trial in Dauphin County.

Am I misunderstanding this? Why would the man who found the ticket be charged once it was established that he was fooled by a scam? That doesn't make any sense to me. Remember the man in MA who found a ticket in the trash and then someone said he accidentally threw it away? If the ticket was fake and just a prank, it would have simply been an honest mistake, right? I don't know why someone who finds what he thinks is a legitimate winning... [ More ]

Comment #12

libra926 — Thu, 06 Apr 2006 22:59:11 GMT

4/6/2006

But, can we start spending the money, as soon as the Lottery officials write the check??

How soon can you start spending the money.....I guess it's safer to wait until after you have personally pushed the button that electronically deposits the money to your account...I do not know I am just guessing, but I welcome anyone's imput on that

Comment #11

libra926 — Thu, 06 Apr 2006 22:55:01 GMT

4/6/2006

lolololololol........now , that's funny.....I'm lovin it....lololololololol

Comment #10

atl1 — Thu, 06 Apr 2006 22:30:48 GMT

don't play with dreams, send him to jail

Comment #9

Lurk More N00b — Thu, 06 Apr 2006 22:08:59 GMT

I'm sure "Bubba" and "Leroy" will have a few funny jokes of their own to show this guy when he gets to prison.

Comment #8

NCPicks — Thu, 06 Apr 2006 19:53:51 GMT

It's my understanding that,depending on the prize tier,it can take that long to get your money.It's absolutely true if you win the Powerball or MM.They have to collect monies from all the states in that group.It takes time to get the money from those states,so the waiting period.

Comment #7

Blueraider — Thu, 06 Apr 2006 19:45:10 GMT

I think was part of the investigation once the lottery commision saw the ticket, cause normally, they will just write you a check.

Comment #6

RJOh — Thu, 06 Apr 2006 19:24:49 GMT

This should be a lesson to all, Never cash in a lottery ticket you didn't buy .

Comment #5

DoubleDown — Thu, 06 Apr 2006 18:53:02 GMT

I'm a little curious about the 4-to 6 week wait.

Is this standard protocol for cashing a winning ticket in PA, or was it part of the investigation once the lottery commision saw the ticket ?

I mean, if the ticket was real, would one have to wait 4 to 6 weeks ???

DD

Comment #4

SassyOhio — Thu, 06 Apr 2006 17:11:40 GMT

What would he have done if that poor man had a heart condition and had a heart attack after all this crap I think that the law is doing the right thing

Comment #3

tony95 — Thu, 06 Apr 2006 16:01:31 GMT

What a Jerk-Ass, I hope he rots in prison.

Comment #2

bluedog — Thu, 06 Apr 2006 16:00:58 GMT

Even though this guy seems to be a practical joker he should still be prosecuted for forgery it's the law.

This hopefully will teach him a lesson

Comment #1

CASH Only — Thu, 06 Apr 2006 15:47:38 GMT

I guess this joke backfired big time. Maybe it should have been a fake Unlucky for Life ticket.

Man charged with forging lottery ticket claims it was a joke

Lottery Post — Thu, 06 Apr 2006 15:42:00 GMT

A Pennsylvania man charged with forging a winning lottery ticket in October was only playing a joke on a coworker, his defense attorney said today.

That joke, attorney Stephen Ellwood said, was merely that (James A. Koons Jr.) wanted someone to find it and think it was real.

And that someone Brian Scott Miller, 34, of Pheasant Drive South in North Middleton Township now faces charges after he allegedly found the ticket at the Middlesex Township trucking firm where he worked and tried... [ More ]