Two Mississippi men are in custody after being accused of trying to claim a $100,000 lottery prize with a fake scratch-off lottery ticket.
Mississippi Lottery Corp. spokeswoman Meg Annison said the two individuals came to the lottery headquarters in Flowood Monday morning seeking to claim the prize.
Annison said lottery officials immediately determined the ticket had been altered. It appeared glue had been used.
Annison said the Lottery Corp. has measures in place to ensure a ticket is legitimate, including a bar code.
Sgt. Adam Nelson of the Flowood Police Department said about 9:20 a.m., Flowood police received a call from the Mississippi Lottery Corp. in reference to two adult males attempting to pass a fake lottery ticket.
Flowood officers arrived on scene moments later and took both subjects into custody. After speaking with lottery officials, officers learned that the suspects presented a $100,000 ticket that had been altered by gluing the winning numbers on the ticket that matched the prize. The ticket was signed and presented to the commission for payment.
Police arrested Odis Latham, 47, and Russell Sparks, 48, both of Columbus. They were charged with conspiracy to commit a felony and uttering a counterfeit instrument over $1,000. Latham was also charged with false ID Information. Both were held Monday after without bond at the Rankin County Jail. Their initial court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday.
Mississippi's lottery kicked off Nov. 25 with scratch-off lottery tickets. Powerball and Mega Millions ticket sales will begin Jan. 30.
Not bad Mississippi, had the lottery for 6 weeks and now have your first 2 contestants for the idiot-criminal award.
Good for you
Here's your sign !!
People are desperate and will try anything. Sad really is.
Here in California we have SLED. Security and Law Enforcement Division.
Only in America..
How much of a backwoods rube do you have to be to not know the barcode is everything? I'm glad some of the lottery profits go to edukashun.
the suspects presented a $100,000 ticket that had been altered by gluing the winning numbers on the ticket that matched the prize.
Probably get by trying to cash a $25 or less value ticket and maybe $100, but $100,000; what were these fools thinking? Even if they don't go to prison this time, they eventually will commit another brainless crime. It's inevitable.
Sounds like something you would do.
I couldn't have said it any better myself.
Something l would do?
Were we in kindergarten together, did l steal your lunch? Did l end up taking your prom date home?What is wrong with you Raven?
Silly
It's early, but this might end up being the funniest lottery news of 2020. I wonder how many times this happens all over the country and lottery officials don't bother calling the police because it's just so pathetic it's funny.
I'd wager these two were being belligerent about it, and that pissed off the official enough that he/she called the cops. But what if they had laughed it off when they got caught and pretended like it was a joke? There's a chance the official would only told them to beat it but not have called the cops.
hehehehehe, hilarious.