Between June 2021 and May 2022, two men organized no less than 166 lottos in the region of Saintes, in Charente-Maritime. The individuals claimed to donate the money to charities, in particular to fight against disability, but in reality they pocketed the winnings and went to burn their loot at the casino. Already known for “breach of trust” and “abuse of weakness”, the crooks would have embezzled nearly 800,000 euros, reported Le Figaro. They were arrested on Monday, May 16, by police officers from the Central Races and Games Service (SCCJ), then indicted, Wednesday, May 18, for “organized gang scam” and “carrying out a gambling operation and chance prohibited in an organized gang”.
Aged 36 and 60, the criminals, who have been placed under judicial supervision, are described as being “true professionals” who organized “up to three or four lottos per weekend”, indicated a source familiar with the matter. . She also recalled that the “practice of bingo, organized with the help of town halls in good faith, often raises questions.”
