NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — A New Jersey convenience store worker stole a customer's $1 million-winning lottery ticket and tried to pass it off as his own, authorities say.
Rayhan Sorwar, 36, who worked at an Edison convenience store, has been charged with theft of moveable property over $75,000, a second-degree crime; conspiracy to commit money laundering; and attempted money laundering, both first-degree crimes, according to Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey.
He was charged during a joint investigation by state Department of Treasury-Division of State Lottery Special Investigator Joseph M. Oleszkiewicz and Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office Detective Ryan Tighe.
An investigation determined that a customer presented a winning scratch-off lottery ticket to Sorwar, who was working at an Edison convenience store, on Sept. 6, 2017. Sorwar, who lives in Edison, allegedly gave the customer two other tickets stating that was her winnings, instead of giving her a claim form for her $1 million prize.
On Sept. 19, 2017, when Sorwar's wife tried to cash the winning ticket at the Lottery Commission in Lawrenceville, officials became suspicious and an investigation began that resulted in Sorwar's arrest.
Carey said the rightful owner of the lottery ticket has been paid her winnings.
"This office consistently investigates and prosecutes theft, corruption and money-laundering cases," Carey said. "We will continue to work with our partners to target such behavior and seek restitution for our victims."
Sorwar was arrested, processed, and released pending a Feb. 15 Middlesex County Superior Court appearance in New Brunswick.
The investigation is continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call Special Investigator Joseph Oleszkiewicz at 609-826-7468 or Detective Ryan Tighe at 732-745-3300.
A listed phone number for Sorwar can't be found. Prosecutors say it's unclear if Sorwar has an attorney who could comment for him.
Here we go again. Maybe time to up their consequences so others understand and think twice?
And the winner didnt know what the prize was?
...and Rayhan thought that sending his pretty wife, with her long eyelashes wouldn't arouse suspicion. This woman threw herself under the bus because of greed.He probably explained the risks involved, but she was game.When are these deceitful store owners going to get the message that just because you don't kill someone , it's not a crime?
Rayhan Sorwar, 36, should have known better.
His case will instruct other store owners and employees that crime does not pay.
The score is 1 for the lottery commission and 0 for the criminal.
On Sept. 19, 2017, when Sorwar's wife tried to cash the winning ticket at the Lottery Commission in Lawrenceville, officials became suspicious
Wonder why they became suspicious, but if the ticket was worth under $5000, would there still be suspicious?
What the fly on the wall saw and heard...
Mrs Sorwar: Hello,can somebody help me, l am here to file claim forms for this $1 million ticket.
Lottery Officials: We pleased to see winners show up and claim what is rightfully theirs. However to get the claim process moving along, we have just a few questions to ask.
Mrs Sorwar: No problem, l have nothing to hide.. *officials look at each other.
Lottery Officials: So where did you purchase this ticket?
Mrs Sorwar: l purchased it at the store not too far from where we live.
Lottery Officials: Okay, do you have family members who work at this store?
Mrs Sorwar: * getting irritated, why do you people ask so many questions?
Lottery Officials: Mrs Sorwar,we apologize, but these are standard questions we ask ALL winners.If a payment is to be generated, these questions need to be answered.
Mrs Sorwar: Well, my husband works at this store, but he is just a worker, not the owner.
Lottery Officials: So your husband works at this store, as a worker does he also sells cigarettes,liquor, lottery tickets and so forth and so on?
Mrs Sorwar: it is as l said, he just works there.
Lottery Officials * One to another: The hairs at the back of my neck just stood up,.. yeah, mine too!
I hope they prosecute him to the fullest. An outright "thief".
Here we go again. A trusting customer giving the ticket to the clerk to check.
I wish individual states would put a PSA on TV advising the public to check their own tickets and a snippet video of someone scanning their tickets.
Seems like we've read quite a lot of stories like this.
Moral of the story, check your own tickets! Trust no one!
Music,
While I wish your statement was 100% true.... There will be another one just like this person and probably pretty soon. Maybe not for the same amount, in the same area or state. But I would bet $1000 that within the next 60 days some clerk somewhere, will get caught putting the screws to some unsuspecting decent customer. Some people will never change when it comes to integrity or ethics.... Trust but verify .... just my 2 cents
CDanaT, I will not take the bet of $1,000.00 because you would win and be correct.
Trust but verify. That applies globally as well.
Our justice system is overwhelmed by the number of unethical persons here in the U.S.
It is soooo simple to detect such fraud attempts that I can't get how those morons keep falling for it!
LottoFanBoy, Welcome to Lottery Post and USAMEGA.
Good to see the electric power coming back on in Puerto Rico.
There has been a major jackpot winner in Puerto Rico. I hope that you will be the second one.
Enjoy your time here and Good Luck!
The best thing that NCEL by far has done is put the winning amount on a screen so that the customer can see it. We had a huge problem with tellers ripping off the customers about the payouts . I am even guilty of not knowing when I first started playing so I am more than happy to see that change here I've had people asked me "how much did I win" and I'd say the amount which I also back it up with it will up on that monitor . Never cash a ticket here that they have the monitor turned off. ...I've always said and meant how funny it was when cashiers got that monitor you could tell who was and wasn't honest b/c they no longer wanted to do the "lottery line" how funny. If there is a way to cheat the player I'm sure cashiers have tried it but in defense of NCEL they do try and shut it down if there is a problem with a store and a cashier.
Forgive me Todd et al for going off the subject.
Last night Game Show Network did an outstanding journalist style of reporting on the Tipton guy who used to be over MUSL for lottery machines. It had more twists and turns than a murder mystery, spellbinding is what comes to mind. Hope to see it again!
How is he going to repay $2.2 million??