Two Suspects At Large Buying Thousands In Lottery Tickets Using Stolen Credit Card

The Cheboygan County Sheriff’s Office has warned local businesses to beware of a pair of men whose modus operandi involves purchasing thousands of dollars in lottery tickets using a stolen credit card.

According to Sheriff Dale Clarmont, at least three party stores in Cheboygan County have since come forward to report that they fell victim to fraudulent credit card purchases of the duo in question in just the last two weeks, UpNorthLive reported.

The last stolen purchase reportedly occurred on Monday, Dec. 6, when the suspects, described as “two black males,” entered a party store and bought a bundle of scratch-off lottery tickets worth between $3,600 to $5,000.

However, it would take about a day or two before the store owners found out that the credit card used for the purchases was stolen. Police said they notified State Lottery Commission about the incident.

“We are working with the State Lottery Commission to see where these tickets may be cashed in and attempting to identify the suspects to further the investigation,” Clarmont said in a statement.

At this time, the sheriff’s department is working with other jurisdictions as the probe continues. Law enforcement is also urging other party stores across the state to contact their local law enforcement agency if there have been any other similar crimes.

Meanwhile, in Florida, two Pensacola scratch-off players are getting into the holiday spirit early after being declared $1 million winners of the Florida Lottery’s Gold Rush Limited game, according to WTSP. Talk about a double-dose of luck!

The lucky locals, Frances Peterson and Walter Scales, both took their winnings in the form of one-time, lump-sum payments of $795,000. The scratch-off game only costs $20 to play, offering the chance at top prizes worth $5 million or $1 million.

Peterson bought her winning ticket from Circle K at 800 West Garden Street while Scales’ ticket came from Sai Krupa at 7815 North Davis Highway. State lottery officials confirmed both Circle K and Sai Krupa will receive a $2,000 bonus commission for selling the winning tickets, Local10 noted.