A British multi-millionaire allegedly claimed £2.5million lottery payout with a fake ticket nine years ago, and he is now being charged with fraud by false representation.
Edward Putman, 53, from Kings Langley, Hertfordshire, was investigated by the serious fraud squad for three years before he was charged.
The National Lottery reportedly paid him the life-changing sum in 2009 after he came forward as the winner of an unclaimed ticket. His winning numbers – 6, 9, 20, 21, 31 and 34 were drawn on March 11 and matched a ticket bought in Worcestershire worth £2.5million.
The winnings were paid out to Putman but the ticket allegedly did not have a working barcode.
According to Mail Online, Putman will appear in court next month and if he is convicted he could be forced to repay the seven-figure sum under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
Today Hertfordshire Police said in a statement;
‘A man has been charged after an investigation into an alleged lottery fraud.
‘Edward Putman, 53, was charged with fraud by false representation following an alleged fraudulent claim of a lottery prize.
‘The incident occurred in 2009 when a claim was made for an outstanding lottery prize. A lottery ticket was submitted and the prize of £2.5m was paid out.
‘In 2015 an investigation was opened by Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Serious Fraud and Cyber Unit, after evidence came to light that the claim was not genuine.
‘Mr Putman has been released on bail to appear at St Albans Magistrates Court on October 16.’
It was also reportred that When Putnam won the money he asked for ‘no publicity’ but only told a handful of friends. He used the winnings’ to buy two homes in Kings Langley, Hertfordshire – one for £600,000 and another for £400,000, and had a fleet of around a dozen cars on his drive.
