Lottery Scammer(s) Cheating NY's Small Shops

Beware of "rubber band bandit" scheme, which has defrauded 15 New York-area lottery retailers.

July 13, 2010

ALBANY, NY - New York State Lottery officials are searching for a thief (or thieves) who??s been scamming New York lottery retailers, absconding with hundreds of dollars in instant lottery tickets and cash, the New York Post reports.

The officials have warned retailers to be vigilant for a "rubber band bandit" or bandits who cheated at least 15 mom-and-pop stores in the Bronx, Queens, and Manhattan last month.

The scammer??s M.O. includes walking into a deli, grocery store, or liquor store and requesting a large number of instant lottery tickets. After receiving the tickets, the crook requests a rubber band, envelope, or anything else that distracts the clerk.

When the clerk??s back is turned, he switches the stack of unused tickets with a stack of scratched-off tickets, placing a new ticket on top of the pile to make it appear untouched.

When the clerk returns, the thief claims he forgot his wallet and leaves the store, promising to return with money to finalize the purchase.

"He tries to lower your guard by being very friendly. Someone you wouldn't suspect," said Fatema Iqbal, owner of the Twins Deli in The Bronx, who said one such "rubber band bandit" stole $800 worth of $20 scratch-off tickets last month.

"He should know how hard we work to keep this store open," Iqbal said. "I put in 80 to 90 hours a week."

Theft is not reimbursable by New York??s lottery, though the agency sends alerts to vendors through computerized lottery terminals.

"Our goal is to protect our retailers and customers," said spokesperson Jennifer Givner.

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