Store owner tried to scam woman out of lottery winnings

Comment #81

infiniti30 — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 02:58:35 GMT

This guy will have his stores selling lottery tickets again. He will transfer ownership to another family member and get new lottery licenses to the store.

Comment #80

Lucky Loser — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 23:53:24 GMT

Hey, way to look out for yourself! It's called being very attentive to what's going on with your money. As one other poster said, when you go into a store to cash in a lottery or scratcher, you're supposed to ALREADY KNOW where and how much you've won. Not just handing over your ticket for someone else to validate, and, quite possibly lie when they detect that you're probably sure...or just silly to the fact.

A losing ticket just beeps after it's entered. A winner, after it's entered, will p... [ More ]

Comment #79

TNPATL — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 13:27:23 GMT

She was very, very smart for signing the ticket. When I cashed in my Powerball ticket I had the numbers that hit circled, and I signed the back. The Clerk even commented oh you signed the ticket. It was only worth $14, but I had copies just in case!!! Some of these store clerks are crooked when they see people win and try to cash in.

Comment #78

Lucky Loser — Fri, 25 May 2012 04:40:38 GMT

Well, it appears that the story has progressed into how the customer scams the clerk, or store, and that they must protect themselves from the customer. Hmmmmm, I find this very interesting. Now, I can see where a thief might rob a store and steal a handful off scratch-offs but, this is hardly a scam. It's just outright thieving. Scamming would mean that tickets have been altered to make a losers appear as winners...and getting paid on 'em This would never fly even though it's been attempted. Lo... [ More ]

Comment #77

mediabrat — Thu, 24 May 2012 00:47:43 GMT

Awww, Ridge! That might be the nicest thing you've ever said about me

Comment #76

mediabrat — Thu, 24 May 2012 00:43:44 GMT

But didn't you say this happened the one time you did NOT check your ticket on the scanner? Instead, you merely said I've got a $22 winner ? No, I wouldn't expect anyone to be offended by you using the scanner. And if I was a convenience store clerk and I had reason to believe the customer thinks I'm trying to rip them off, I'd be a little ticked.

Again, though, I'm not saying either of you was in the wrong. I was just trying to bring another point of view to the conversation.... [ More ]

Comment #75

mcginnin56 — Tue, 22 May 2012 17:30:01 GMT

The Store Person Just Made A Mistake Went To Jail.

Comment #74

dr65 — Tue, 22 May 2012 17:22:43 GMT

Will you be that understanding when it's your ticket?

I guess people make honest mistakes, that's acceptable.

What a person does after a mistake is what counts. He signed her ticket and turned it in, that's far from honest.

I don't trust anyone with my tickets. Times are tough and some people are ruthless.

If the lottery does one thing right, it's getting the message out:

WHEN YOU WIN, SIGN YOUR TICKET.

Is there anyone out there who hasn't seen this yet... [ More ]

Comment #73

rdgrnr — Tue, 22 May 2012 14:52:56 GMT

LOL, no I wouldn't call him a lawyer, Max.

I'm sure he's a decent human being.

Comment #72

GiveFive — Tue, 22 May 2012 11:37:28 GMT

Hi Mediabrat,

I wrote the original post, and I agree that the two possiblities you offered are very plausable.

Although I hadn't given it any thought, I'm sure stores do train clerks to be on the lookout for players trying to scam the clerk. It's a two way street. The stores, just like players, have to protect themselves from unscrupulous people. There's no question they do get ripped off by the public all the time.

Also the woman behind the counter very well might have taken offense to... [ More ]

Comment #71

psykomo — Tue, 22 May 2012 10:56:08 GMT

Fong Kwok forture kookie said:

store clerk mistakie today U winnie $10,000 dullor

Comment #70

mcginnin56 — Tue, 22 May 2012 06:36:10 GMT

Always two sides to a coin. Those two possibilities seem very probable.

Comment #69

maximumfun — Tue, 22 May 2012 04:28:39 GMT

oh my giddiant... you mean he is a LAWYER?

isn't that akin to swearing at him

Comment #68

rdgrnr — Tue, 22 May 2012 03:41:43 GMT

Relax, it's an honest living.

(Unless you're ripping off lottery winnings

Comment #67

mediabrat — Tue, 22 May 2012 03:12:08 GMT

As usual, you are wrong.

Comment #66

rdgrnr — Tue, 22 May 2012 01:09:18 GMT

I have a feeling he won't be collecting any bonuses, Louise.

I don't think it was addressed and I kinda doubt he'll be asking for it.

I don't think he'd want to piss off a certain person:

Here come the judge,

Here come the judge,

Order in the Court now,

Here come the judge.

Comment #65

rdgrnr — Tue, 22 May 2012 01:03:18 GMT

Well, it's pretty clear to see what you do for a living now, lol.

(Not that there's anything wrong with that

Comment #64

mediabrat — Tue, 22 May 2012 00:32:48 GMT

Two possibilities:

1.) In her training, she may have been warned about lottery players trying to scam clerks. She may have thought that by telling her you had a $22 winner before she scanned it, you were trying to condition her to skip checking the ticket and just hand you the money.

2.) She likely picked up on your non-verbal accusations of her being a thief. She was probably thinking -- but wouldn't say it for fear of losing her job -- How dare you accuse me of trying to steal from you s... [ More ]

Comment #63

louise black — Tue, 22 May 2012 00:19:10 GMT

Didn't I just say that Todd, the lottery officals did their jobs on this one. No one has answer my question will he still get the fee for selling a sizable winner.Do anyone know

Comment #62

HaveABall — Mon, 21 May 2012 21:44:34 GMT

Congratulations on your $10K PB lottery win! It is exciting you received the stolen monies without asserting any effort or having any knowledge of their existence. The opposite could have easily been the outcome; so become aware during your future gambling.

Comment #61

Lucky Loser — Mon, 21 May 2012 21:32:35 GMT

So, one of my buddies, who also watches LP, called and wanted to discuss this topic a bit. He started out with lots of sympathy for the lady which is cool in its' proper respect, and, then went on to somewhat question my harshness. So, I had him to re-read what I posted for a quick reference and proceeded to ask this series of questions:

1) Are you responsible for your validating your check direct deposits and/or withdrawals?

2) Are you responsible for for cash back, if requested, after ma... [ More ]

Comment #60

Cletu$2 — Mon, 21 May 2012 19:12:47 GMT

The lottery's could do a lot more than just telling you to sign your ticket.

Comment #59

rdgrnr — Mon, 21 May 2012 16:51:10 GMT

If the Lotteries were willing to do the right thing and truly wanted to stop the scams they would tell players the truth: You can't trust the clerks to check your tickets.

They should include that advice in their literature and advertising.

But they don't cuz it doesn't sound good for business.

All Lottery Post Members who have paid attention to the never ending reports of clerks ripping off players know better but the general public and casual or occasional players just don't know abou... [ More ]

Comment #58

Lucky Loser — Mon, 21 May 2012 14:39:22 GMT

Buddy, I extend mad props to you on both your thinking and execution of ticket validations! This is where any and all troubles with tickets ends...period. Your first sentence is absolutely GOLDEN and the first paragraph, PLATINUM, has every supporting detail needed to avoid clerical issues. I'm personally having a hard time, in this case, with having any sympathy due to exactly what you've laid down as the law.

When it comes to games like this where lots of money can potentially be involved,... [ More ]

Comment #57

GiveFive — Mon, 21 May 2012 11:28:28 GMT

It's sad that the world is like it is, but smart players always know and tell the clerk how much they won.

I always try to go to the same convenience store to cash my winners. They know my face in there, and since I tell the clerk how much I won, there's never a problem. Some times when a new clerk I havent seen before appears behind the counter, I make it a point to use the scanner that's located right in front of the lottery terminal. (I always know how much I won long before I walk through... [ More ]

Comment #56

jeffrey — Mon, 21 May 2012 09:23:15 GMT

old ways of old days, let her decide his punishment. imho jail and the loss of the cost of his imprisonment.

Comment #55

BevsPicks2 — Mon, 21 May 2012 09:19:07 GMT

I always triple check my tickets. Kwoks problem was that she had established a relationship with the store employes and owner. So she trusted them. How was she to know? Like I said. I triple check my numbers becaus money changes folks. I'm just glad she got her miponey. I'm ecastic that they shut all of that sorry (6 letter, 6 more letters) lottery down in all of his stores. YES

Comment #54

Lucky SOB — Mon, 21 May 2012 06:08:12 GMT

glad this happened now theres 1 less theif checking lottery tickets for the time being

Comment #53

savagegoose — Mon, 21 May 2012 06:02:35 GMT

i think i prob have been ripped off. and just recently too. not a large amount, but even so ive played for 20+ years. im sure a few smaller wins have slipped thru.

anyhow , way the gov snooping is going they can prob just run some finger prints thru the TSA computer and find everyone whos touched that ticket, too easy.

Comment #52

Coin Toss — Mon, 21 May 2012 04:29:26 GMT

They sure did, being so stupid they thought they'd get away with changing the name on the back of the ticket.

Comment #51

pick4master — Mon, 21 May 2012 03:28:30 GMT

I just have to wonder if i have ever been cheated. I walk into a store, ask to clerk to check my ticket as i walk elsewhere in the store to pick up a snack. Several times, she would say, you won $3 or $5 or $10 and i just trust her. But, no more

Comment #50

Todd — Mon, 21 May 2012 03:14:06 GMT

The Louisiana Lottery security folks are the heros of this story. The easy thing would be to ignore the scratched out name and simply pay out the prize. But they lifted the crossed out signature, figured out the spelling in the signature, and actually managed to track down the person whose signature was crossed out.

That is some FANTASTIC detective work.

HATS OFF to the Lousiana Lottery for caring to check it out, and having the wherewithal to track down the real winner.

Comment #49

LottoBoner — Mon, 21 May 2012 01:51:28 GMT

unfortunately it gets to the point that there are no more shops to go to!!!

i cant go five miles every time i want to play a front pair!!

i might as well just leave the state!! go to new jersey where all the honest clerks work.

Comment #48

mayhem — Mon, 21 May 2012 01:50:30 GMT

WTF

Comment #47

Lucky Loser — Mon, 21 May 2012 01:49:45 GMT

People, you're all forgetting one important detail here...YOU'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN TICKET...AND THE CLAIMING OF IT. Okay, so she wrote her name on the back of it like she always does which is very good practice...and saved her in this case. However, this never would've even made the news had she PROPERLY CHECKED AND VALIDATED HER OWN TICKET AS A LEGIT WINNER. Never play any game which you don't know how to properly check for winnings...PERIOD.

Now, of course the clerk was dead wrong fo... [ More ]

Comment #46

BABYBOY20011982 — Mon, 21 May 2012 01:48:21 GMT

The Store Person Just Made A Mistake

Comment #45

maringoman — Mon, 21 May 2012 01:42:23 GMT

If I can't trust the convinient store I frequent then I dont wanna shop there any more.

Comment #44

CajunWin4 — Mon, 21 May 2012 01:40:34 GMT

LottoB ,

Know you got it !!! Not all People are Honest it does not matter about Race .. Just use you're gut feeling . You do not know Louisiana to well .. Yes, Its her fault to for not checking here on Ticket/Tickets online from her phone , computer or even public library has free internet use ..

Comment #43

LottoBoner — Mon, 21 May 2012 01:26:18 GMT

ok...i agree...its not about race..its about age and maturity...

all the guys who bust my balls are young...the old world indians are more honest...because they came directly from the old country...they understand how difficult it can be. But these young whippersnappers, the are too americanized...always trying to pull a fast one and be wiseguys ...

there is no way he is doing 20 years...its not like a breaking and entering...the woman was at fault being dumb....and not knowing how to use

Comment #42

CajunWin4 — Mon, 21 May 2012 01:17:57 GMT

LottoB ,

You're Presumming he will get OFF !! Having 4 stores has no Variable on the out come of the Case against him . It could have been any race that pulled this SCAM on the lady .

Comment #41

LottoBoner — Mon, 21 May 2012 01:04:31 GMT

POS...whats that point of sale?

When i hand over my tickets i am just waiting for somebody to pull a fast one...

I will start cussing and yelling...and I will knock over the gum. I dont especially like it when i hand over the winning ticket and they rip it up in front of me vigorously like i dont have any emotional attachment to that ticket....that ticket was a work of art!!

I do NOT like to feel disrespected at the lottery terminal after all the KUCFing hard work i put in!!!

Some of... [ More ]

Comment #40

Lucky Loser — Mon, 21 May 2012 00:03:12 GMT

Bad man...very bad man!!!

L.L.

Comment #39

Cletu$2 — Sun, 20 May 2012 23:31:48 GMT

And his name wasn't Patel,either.

Comment #38

PERDUE — Sun, 20 May 2012 23:09:29 GMT

I'm inclined to agree with you Ridge.

This makes me wanna pull out my stupid stick and smack her a couple of times for not checking her tickets herself.

Just SMACK-SMACK-SMACK-SMACK-SAMACK.......

This is another Willis Willis story only with a wonderful ending.

Now the store owner is kicking himself for losing his licenses to sell lottery tickets in all four of his stores and possible prison time and the loss of everything he worked to build all because of a misguided sense of greed.... [ More ]

Comment #37

JonnyBgood07 — Sun, 20 May 2012 22:34:52 GMT

Clearly some folks shouldn't be playing the lottery.Don't get me wrong,a$swhippins o' plenty should be handed to the 'camel cowboy' who did it but stuff like this gets old.

People really need to understand what they're playing.

Comment #36

RJOh — Sun, 20 May 2012 22:19:34 GMT

He probably had only been knocking off smaller prizes that didn't require the kind of security checks that cashing in tickets at the lottery office required.

Comment #35

louise black — Sun, 20 May 2012 21:49:23 GMT

Well! can she also get the fee he would be paid for selling her the ticket. If not she should be able to get that money also he surely shouldn't get it! Good job Lottery Officals.Now ! let's put that Scammer in jail.

Comment #34

rdgrnr — Sun, 20 May 2012 21:29:37 GMT

I had a clerk keep a free entry ticket for another drawing on me in Harlan, Kentucky last year.

Dirty bastage.

Comment #33

Piaceri — Sun, 20 May 2012 19:55:06 GMT

Props to the LA lottery commission. I'm glad the REAL winner got her winnings. I, too, wonder how many under $600 winnings this POS stole from people. There will never be a way to tell. I always know how much winnings I'll get back when I hand the ticket to the clerk. I haven't had one try and cheat me unless you count the POS that tried to keep my freebie PB ticket a couple months ago.

Comment #32

Lucky SOB — Sun, 20 May 2012 19:37:13 GMT

nice to hear she got her money

Comment #31

luckyshoes — Sun, 20 May 2012 19:15:34 GMT

Good for her ! I wonder if the thiefs sorry he did it or sorry he got caught.

Just takes a few seconds to sign your name on the back. Nice to know that if someone alters your ticket they can be charged .

Comment #30

rdgrnr — Sun, 20 May 2012 19:08:54 GMT

Good points, Stack.

I didn't even consider all the smaller prizes he was probably stealing for years that don't have to be officially claimed.

Comment #29

maximumfun — Sun, 20 May 2012 19:08:45 GMT

- that would be a fascinating statistic to post... how many reportable winners he has had... and then allow a forensic accountant try to locate the winners (good luck with that though

Comment #28

maximumfun — Sun, 20 May 2012 19:05:20 GMT

yikes I hadn't even thought of that. just think of the many (MANY) others who have previously been scammed by these crooks

Comment #27

maximumfun — Sun, 20 May 2012 19:04:02 GMT

he altered the ticket and basically erased her name and resigned it? that is ballsy

Comment #26

mcginnin56 — Sun, 20 May 2012 18:49:57 GMT

Excellent question! Without her detected signature, probably would have gone under the radar. (For the clerk, Kwok and Lottery Commission).

Comment #25

rdgrnr — Sun, 20 May 2012 18:49:49 GMT

Hey, PERDUE,

I think she was just one of those people who hands the tickets to the clerks to check for her and trusts them to tell her the truth.

Bad idea.

Comment #24

PERDUE — Sun, 20 May 2012 18:37:28 GMT

Fong Kwok hasn't had a day off in four years. So when she found out she won $10,000 in the Louisiana Lottery she was ecstatic.

That day I just was so happy, said Kwok, who owns Bamboo Restaurant in New Orleans East. I could not believe winning.

Kwok's Mega Millions ticket matched four of the five white ball numbers, plus the yellow Mega Ball number in the April 13th drawing.

But Kwok said a worker at the nearby convenience store where she bought the ticket, Downman Center, first told... [ More ]

Comment #23

manali — Sun, 20 May 2012 17:44:16 GMT

Stupid people should be banned form playing lottery.

Comment #22

Factorem — Sun, 20 May 2012 16:36:12 GMT

A job well done by the Louisiana Lottery in helping to track down Fong Kwok for what is rightfully hers, and in denying what appears to be a verifiable seasoned, veteran, well experienced lottery winnings' thief, Alhinda, a day of victory in con and private Kleptocracy.

I hope that the Louisiana Lottery would be further inspired and encouraged to look into their records for possible past fraudulent claims that Alhindi may have made with or without success.

It is a Good day for Fong Kwok, a... [ More ]

Comment #21

Stack47 — Sun, 20 May 2012 16:21:21 GMT

The ticket was checked because a signature was crossed out and not because the clerk cashed multiple tickets. Dateline NBC ran a story about clerks, store owners, and other people cashing multiple large value tickets and the majority of them were ten percentors . They got a percentage for cashing the tickets from players who wanted to avoid paying taxes, back child support, or just didn't want to wait to collect.

The act of cashing multiple tickets doesn't prove anything illegal was done.... [ More ]

Comment #20

RedStang — Sun, 20 May 2012 16:07:40 GMT

These morons are so stupid they don't know how to use this as marketing to increase their business. We have a few smart stores that advertise winners with big signs and they sell alot of lotto. He's gonna love his lawyer and fine fees.

Comment #19

Stack47 — Sun, 20 May 2012 16:05:21 GMT

I'd like to know how many winners he's cashed in his name previously.

Or how about all the free to $100 tickets he stole without signing his name. He was caught because he scratched off the winner's name. With thousands of stores in each state, there is no telling how many people are told their unsigned $600 plus tickets are losers and a clerk keeps the ticket and signs their name. The tickets that don't require signing probably amount to thousands in thefts every day.

The real problem is... [ More ]

Comment #18

KPaul — Sun, 20 May 2012 15:33:45 GMT

I would think that since the lottery department was studious enough to investigate the altered name they may have gone on to check the number of times this same guy has cashed in winning tickets in the past. It would be interesting to know how many winning tickets he's sent in since he started working at the store.

Comment #17

rdgrnr — Sun, 20 May 2012 15:17:30 GMT

Dollar to a donut he doesn't do any time.

First offense, probation.

Which sucks cuz it's doubtful this is his first offense, just the first time he got caught.

I'd like to know how many winners he's cashed in his name previously.

Comment #16

rdgrnr — Sun, 20 May 2012 15:13:39 GMT

We must all stop and give thanks to our government for setting the standard of business philosophy in the 21st century.

Good Lord, that's a classic.

Yeah, they set such a great example, let's all run our finances like them. When you're broke and under a mountain of debt from reckless spending, just borrow some more money and spend it even more recklessly! That'll solve the problem!

LMAO.

Comment #15

haymaker — Sun, 20 May 2012 14:39:36 GMT

I don't think the 10,000 equates to 20 years, it's the act of altering a lottery ticket, which is akin to forgery,

the amount is secondary.

Comment #14

PrisonerSix — Sun, 20 May 2012 14:09:06 GMT

I always check my own tickets on the web. Louisiana changed its lottery terminals so there is a small display where the customer can see it, that will show how much a ticket it after it's scanned. However, many retailers don't have it in an obvious place and some don't have it out at all.

I'm glad this thief got caught, hope he goes down for a long time.

Comment #13

Litebets27 — Sun, 20 May 2012 13:35:57 GMT

These stories keep popping up.

Store owners and clerks that lie to and steal from their customers seem to be more and more common place.

Also problematic scanners are being reported.

Seems the only person or thing you can trust to check your winnings is yourself.

I don't understand why people don't ask for print outs when they go to check their numbers.

This allows you to keep a record of the winning numbers with you which you can check over and over again if you don't believe you... [ More ]

Comment #12

joker831 — Sun, 20 May 2012 13:07:13 GMT

Sadly, this is the lesson that has been taught to us by bussness owners all across the United States : It's o.k. to try and screw someone out of money that is rightfully theirs. Big corporations do it on a daily basis. Greed is the new supply and demand mantra for business. Lying and cheating is the new code of ethics. Overcharge the bejeezus out of your customer is the new mission statement. We must all stop and give thanks to our government for setting the standard of business philosophy in th... [ More ]

Comment #11

dallascowboyfan — Sun, 20 May 2012 12:42:55 GMT

Congras Ms. Kwok I am so glad you signed your ticket enjoy your vacation....... Shame on you Alhindi.....

Comment #10

loonasee2 — Sun, 20 May 2012 12:27:28 GMT

Good for her ,she got 10,000 for a dollar,and he got twenty years for three dollars.I love it when goofballs get caught,because if he did it once ,it will happen again.(not for a while now)lol

Have fun on your vacation,...........................................and to the store owner don't have fun on your vacation in the slammer.

Comment #9

rad242 — Sun, 20 May 2012 12:19:27 GMT

Scammer with the Scanner is in jail and the true winner is one step closer to a much deserved Disney vacation.

I love Happy Endings

Comment #8

mcginnin56 — Sun, 20 May 2012 12:17:36 GMT

Mrs. Kwok should be allowed that pleasure.

Comment #7

mcginnin56 — Sun, 20 May 2012 12:14:00 GMT

If someone is that smooth and slick, makes you wonder if anyone should be trusted to check your numbers. Just use the scanner, or better yet

your computer to retrieve the lottery website.

The photo's of this human garbage, should be posted everywhere, to further discourage and humiliate the other would be scammers.

Comment #6

Todd — Sun, 20 May 2012 12:05:34 GMT

Someone so at ease with telling a customer that a $10,000 ticket is worth $3 sounds very practiced to me. My guess is that few of these pathetic crooks are caught their first time. Their past successes surely make them feel like they'll continue getting away with it.

Comment #5

hearsetrax — Sun, 20 May 2012 12:03:35 GMT

just shoot him in public and close the store and be done with it

Comment #4

sully16 — Sun, 20 May 2012 11:58:41 GMT

Glad she got her money, enjoy your trip.

Comment #3

NoShame — Sun, 20 May 2012 11:39:34 GMT

Lucky woman. She was smart enough to sign the ticket at least. I too would be incredibly suspicious if I saw the name on the back of a ticket being scratched out.

I'm taking more advantage now of those self-serve ticket reading machines. More should too.

Comment #2

LottoAce — Sun, 20 May 2012 11:33:53 GMT

Maybe, I just don't understand whats going on in the world. I know the economy is struggling but,

have things gotten so bad in this country that 10,000 dollars is worth a 20 year prison sentence

Comment #1

VenomV12 — Sun, 20 May 2012 11:29:59 GMT

Good for her, and they should send this idiot to prison for 10 years or deport him if he was not born here...after he spends some time in prison and ownership of the store should be turned over to her as punishment for his dishonesty, at least his share of the store.

They need to make it mandatory in all states like in Illinois that the machine clearly shows how much the ticket is worth when it is scanned, visible to the customer.

Store owner tried to scam woman out of lottery winnings

Lottery Post — Sun, 20 May 2012 11:23:31 GMT

Louisiana Lottery able to track down real winner

A woman was almost scammed out of her lottery winnings by the convenience store where she bought the ticket, according to Louisiana Lottery officials. But a simple step helped authorities find the rightful winner.

Fong Kwok hasn't had a day off in four years. So when she found out she won $10,000 in the Louisiana Lottery she was ecstatic.

That day I just was so happy, said Kwok, who owns Bamboo Restaurant in New Orleans East. I could not... [ More ]