A WOMAN thought she hit the jackpot after finding a winning lotto ticket on the floor – but her pal’s devastating two words brought her new found luck to an abrupt end.
Haley Rodriguez took to social media to share her nail-bitingly close chance to winning the lottery after she found a winning ticket left on a pavement.
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She quickly took to Reddit to share her unbelievable find. However, in what seemed too good to be true, this dream discovery soon turned into a nightmare.
The excitement was palpable as the fortunate finder eagerly scanned her ticket, expecting to see prize amount flash before her eyes.
But instead of a celebratory message, she was hit with a gut-wrenching alert: “Cannot be processed. Call 1800 lottery.”
Suddenly, the joy of striking it rich was overshadowed by confusion and concern.
And then, to pour salt on the wound, her friend chimed in with two chilling words: “you’re crazy.”
Panic ensued and she took to the platform to ask other users whether her lucky find could land her in deep waters.
She said: “If it was stolen, would I get in trouble.”
Haley confessed to being freaked out by her friend’s warning, and though she tried to call the lottery hotline, it was too late in the evening to get through.
She said: “She thinks I’m crazy for even trying.”
She lamented, the fear of catching a charge looming over her head.
The story didn’t just end there. It quickly caught the attention of the online community, with Reddit users eagerly weighing in.
One suggested the friend might be jealous, they said: “Did it cross your mind that she’s jealous that you found a winning ticket on the ground and wants you to just give it away so no one gets nothing…
“Ditch the b***h and cash them sh*ts.”
Another user said: “Could be someone already claimed the money for the win.”
Because lottery is a bearer instrument, without the ticket, the original owner cannot claim the prize money.
According to Lottery.co.uk: “when you purchase a lottery ticket, it is your only proof of entry into the draw.
“So if it goes missing, you will not be able to claim any winnings from retailers or Post Offices. The only option is to make an appeal to the National Lottery.”
However, Reddit users speculate whether or not this means a ticket finder can claim what is possibly a ‘stolen’ lottery ticket.
On finding a lost ticket, The National Lottery advises:
“If you find a lost ticket without a name and address written on the back, you should send it by post to the National Lottery at the above address.
“This applies whether it is for a draw that has already taken place or one that is still waiting to be held.
“You should also include important information such as your name, address, phone number and a brief explanation of where and when you found the ticket.
“The National Lottery will look into whether anyone else has reported it as a lost or stolen ticket.
“If no one else has claimed to be missing that ticket and the National Lottery is satisfied you have acted in good faith, you may be eligible to receive any prize won by that entry.
“The ticket and all additional information must be received by the National Lottery before the claim period for the ticket expires”
Consequences of claiming someone else’s lottery ticket
Legal Implications:
Claiming a lost lottery ticket that isn’t yours could land you in hot water. Lottery tickets are bearer instruments, meaning the possessor is deemed the rightful owner. Taking and claiming it as your own can be considered theft or fraud, leading to potential criminal charges.
Civil Liability:
The rightful owner might sue you to get their prize money back. You could end up in a civil lawsuit, where you might have to return the winnings and pay additional damages.
Ethical Considerations:
Taking someone else’s winning ticket is dishonest and unethical. Even if you avoid legal repercussions, you would have to live with the guilt and moral consequences of your actions, betraying principles of fairness and honesty.
Social Consequences:
If people find out you claimed someone else’s lost ticket, it could tarnish your reputation. You might be seen as untrustworthy and dishonest, impacting your relationships and social standing.
Claiming a lost lottery ticket as your own can lead to severe legal, ethical, and social consequences. It’s crucial to do the right thing and attempt to return the ticket to its rightful owner. If the ticket is not claimed to be missing, you could be awarded prize money “in good faith” according to The National Lottery.
Meanwhile, stolen lottery tickets tend not to end well, as almost lotto winners Jon-Ross Watson and Mark Goodram found out.
It turns out for these criminal pals what seemed too good to be true, definitely was – their 4-day celebration bender was put to quick stop after a slip-up when trying to claim their prize.
Elsewhere, it’s easy to get swept up in the moment when thinking you’ve won the lottery, but things can quickly fall to pieces.
This was the case for a grandma who thought she’d won £34million, skipping to the post office to claim her prize, only to find things came crashing down just moments after she arrived.