Shop Worker Jailed After Attempting To Claim Customers Jackpot

Farrakh Nizzar attempted to claim a $1.57 million EuroMillions jackpot after telling Maureen Holt that her winning ticket was a losing ticket.

According to Sky News, Nizzar, 3o, knew that the EuroMillions ticket was a winner as soon as he scanned it at his cousins Best One shop in Oldham, Greater Manchester,where he worked. He knew that the ticket was a winner because the terminal in which he scanned the ticket told him that the holder of the ticket should contact Camelot.

After telling Holt that her ticket was not a winner, Nizzar then asked her if she wanted the ticket back. When she told Nizzar to trash the ticket, he kept the ticket for himself. He then attempted to claim the $1.57 million jackpot, but he aroused suspicion when he was unable to answer questions about the ticket.

The lottery company was able to confirm that Nizzar was not the rightful owner of the winning ticket, and he will be spending 30 months in jail. Camelot checked CCTV and was able to track down the true owners of the ticket, Maureen and Fred Holt, with the help of Mr. Holt’s Tesco Clubcard.

Nizzar pleaded guilty last month to committing fraud by false representation on May 31 this year.

Passing sentence, Recorder Philip Cattan told the defendant:

“This goes to the heart of public confidence in the National Lottery.”

“The courts must demonstrate to you and to others that this type of fraud will be met by significant custody,” he added.

The Euromillions winners, Maureen and Fred Holt, gave a statement about the incident saying:

“We can now look forward to enjoying our lottery win and spending some time with our family and friends. We understand the defendant has written a letter to us and we look forward to reading this.”

Newser reports that in addition to being held for 30 months in jail, Nizzar’s visa is expired and will be deported to Pakistan.