According to the woman, everything seemed normal when she walked back into the store to verify her winnings. She handed the ticket to the clerk for a routine check. But instead of scanning it and handing it back, the clerk reportedly tried to claim the prize as her own.
The customer noticed something felt off when the clerk quietly slid the ticket out of sight and told her it was “not a winner.” Suspicious, the woman asked for the ticket back — and the clerk refused. That’s when she knew something was seriously wrong.
Fortunately, the customer didn’t back down. She demanded the ticket and told the clerk she would call law enforcement if necessary. When the pressure increased, the clerk’s behavior became even stranger — she allegedly tried to scratch off additional portions of the ticket and hide it under the counter.
Realizing she could lose her winnings entirely, the woman acted fast. She grabbed the ticket back and left the store immediately, later contacting lottery officials to report what had happened. Her quick thinking protected her from what could have been a devastating loss.
Lottery investigators later confirmed that the scratch ticket was indeed a legitimate winner. According to reports, the attempted “ticket hijacking” could have resulted in serious consequences for the clerk, as attempting to claim someone else’s winnings is considered a criminal offense in many places.
Stories like this highlight a risk that many lottery players don’t expect — not every dishonest act involves complicated scams or technology. Sometimes, all it takes is the wrong person behind the counter. While most clerks are honest and do their job correctly, this case is a reminder that players should always keep their tickets in sight until the transaction is complete.
Experts recommend never handing your scratch ticket to anyone unless you can clearly see the scanning process. Many modern lottery machines show the result on a customer-facing screen, allowing both parties to verify the status at the same time. If a clerk ever refuses to return your ticket, the safest move is to leave immediately and contact authorities.
The woman said the experience shook her, but she’s grateful she trusted her instincts. Had she believed the clerk’s claim, she never would have known that she had been the rightful winner. “It could have ruined everything,” she said, relieved that she acted before it was too late.
The story spread quickly online, drawing reactions from thousands of viewers who were stunned by the boldness of the attempted theft. Many shared their own experiences with suspicious clerks or near-misses involving lottery tickets.
In the end, justice was on the customer’s side — and her prize was secured. What started as a shocking betrayal turned into a powerful reminder: when luck knocks on your door, protect it fiercely, because not everyone wants to see you win.
