Man conned out of winning lottery game ticket

A Corporate Area businessman missed out on claiming his lottery game prize, after his winning ticket was allegedly pocketed and encashed by the operator of a Supreme Ventures outlet and a woman.

The shocking allegations were detailed in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Wednesday, where the accused Akeem Ellis and his co-accused Meagan Wiggan were arraigned for fraud-related charges. Prosecutors contend that sometime in March, the complainant went to cash out his winning Top Draw lottery ticket at a Supreme Ventures outlet operated by Ellis. The ticket was for a $1 million draw. However, Ellis informed the complainant that the ticket was void and had no winning numbers, and held on to the complainant's ticket. Sometime thereafter, Ellis contacted Wiggan, and told her to visit another Supreme Ventures outlet to encash the complainant's ticket.

The ticket was encashed and a cheque was prepared for $800,000, after taxes were deducted, and handed over to Wiggan, who went to the bank and deposited the funds into her account. The court heard that $600,000 was withdrawn and given to Ellis. It was further shared that the two were apprehended after the complainant's friend, who runs the outlet at which the ticket was encashed, identified the winning numbers as being bought by the complainant.

Senior Parish Judge Lori-Anne Cole-Montaque indicated to Ellis and Wiggan, who are not represented, that it is appropriate for them to make restitution as part of their sentence. They are charged with simple larceny, receiving stolen property, conspiracy to defraud, unlawfully making available device or data for the commission of an offence and obtaining money by means of false pretence.

Both accused are to repay the $800,000 to the complainant. Sentencing is postponed until March 6, 2024.