Swindling New York deli owners 'gave $1million lottery winning customer just $1,000 and then KEPT the scratch-off ticket for themselves'

By Michael Zennie

PUBLISHED: 15:58 EST, 23 November 2013 | UPDATED: 16:54 EST, 23 November 2013

The owners of a Long Island, New York, deli have been arrested after they allegedly tried to scam a $1million lottery winner by taking his ticket, handing him $1,000 cash and keep the winning scratch-off for themselves.

The victim, who speaks no English, initially fell for the bait-and-switch scam and left with the meager cash and no ticket.

But, he returned the next day and demanded the ticket back. When they wouldn't give it to him, he called the police.

Nabil Jaghab
Karim Jaghab

Father and son duo Nabal (left) and Karim Jaghab (right), age 57 and 26, are charged with grand larceny for allegedly trying to keep the $1million lottery ticket

Father and son duo Nabal and Karim Jaghab, age 57 and 26, were arrested on charges of grand larceny for trying to keep the $1million 'Unwrap the Cash' scratch-off ticket that was purchased at their shop in Hempstead, New York.

Police say when the victim walked into the shop to have his ticket checked, he handed it to Karim Jaghab. The 34-year-old knew he had a winner, but didn't understand how much he had won.

 

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Prosecutors say Karim kept the ticket, instead of handing it back as per New York State Lottery regulations. He told the man that he had won $1,000 - instead of $1million - and handed him the cash.

Every large winning lottery ticket must be claimed at a state lottery office.

Jackpot: The victim had scored the lucky $1million prize from the $10 scratch-off lottery ticket

Jackpot: The victim had scored the lucky $1million prize from the $10 scratch-off lottery ticket

The man left the shop, but came back the next day and spoke to Karim's father Nabal.

Nabal said the man had won only $10,000 and said that Nabal would hand it over 'as long as he didn't involve the police.' Karim confirmed this and told the man that he had only won $10,000.

This time, the lotto winner wasn't fooled. He called officers, who determined that The Jaghab's were attempting to scam the man out of his $1million ticket. 





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I've seen a lot of reports about store owners stealing/scamming people with lottery tickets. What's very interesting is that they all have one thing in common

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Can't speak the language, get the f out.

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In Florida, folks turn in lost purses found on the beach stuffed full of cash and in New York they steal your winning lottery tickets. I guess it is just good that the deli guys didn't toss the lottery winner in front of a subway train after they robbed him.

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Thanks for the info on Florida. Nix the visit to the sunshine state.

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Good choice, Perry. With 91 million tourists visiting annually already, we are pretty crowded.

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Check the owners of the store- see if they are here legally. OR stealing the money to send to terror groups.

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I Don't trust A...r...a...b...s.

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If you don't know how to claim the prize, don't play.

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So let me understand this the winner doesn't know English but he knew he was a winner?how does he know he was a winner if he couldn't understand how to read the ticket?

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This has happened many times before. You should ALWAYS check the numbers yourself -- or if you live in a state that has the self-check machine in their lottery stands--- use that. There are way too many swindlers out there. I play scratch-offs every few months and I always check them myself at the scanner.

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You shouldnt go to stores of people with this faith

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This NEVER used to happen in NYC. The Delis owners were honest and friendly and the salt of the earth . This is such a shame. There was a camaraderie to people and their Deli' s that people like this are erasing.

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these are not the Deli owners we used to know..this is the new breed of dirty, stores, making their money by ripping off foodstamps, selling milk and lottery tix....not a deli like you are thinking.

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Born yesterday?

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Haven't people learnt from others mistakes???? This happens all the time!!! Yeah like I'm gonna give you my ticket to check my results!!!! Mmmppphhh!!!!

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It must be true what they say....."There is one born every minute".........I personally think it's more like 20 or 30 born every minute...not just one!!!

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Nabal and Karim Jaghab The people come to America to better their lives but end up swindling their host., same as the UK

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Yeah.....and we welcomed them with bells on!!!!! Come one...come all....we don't care...if you can walk across the border....hey....more power to you. If you can crawl, limp.....run.....hide...whatever...we don't care...come on.....and do your thing. That's what we are here for.

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your family came to America from somewhere else

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