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You could help identify mysterious Iowa lottery ticket buyer

After four years and at least two illegitimate attempts to claim the winnings, police continued to search for the real owner of a winning lottery ticket bought ...
Mystery lottery ticket purchaser in Des Moines Quik Trip (photo from Iowa Department of Public Safety)

After four years and at least two illegitimate attempts to claim the winnings, police continued to search for the real owner of a winning lottery ticket bought in Iowa.

Someone bought a winning lottery ticket at a Des Moines Quik Trip, on East 14th just south of Interstate 80, on December 23, 2010.  A police transcript of surveillance video showed the man bought two hot dogs and two lottery tickets.

The winning ticket was reportedly worth more than $16 million.

Lottery officials became suspicious when someone tried to claim the winnings in late 2011.  Although that person had the security number printed on the lottery ticket, investigators determined he was not the original ticket buyer.  After admitting he did not buy the ticket, the person said he was representing the ticket owner because they wanted to remain anonymous.

Then an Iowa-based law firm presented the winning ticket to Iowa Lottery officials, to claim the winnings on behalf of a trust based in Belize.  When the trustee met with lottery officials and could not identify the owner of the ticket, that claim was also withdrawn.

The investigation has also led to leads in the area of Houston, Texas, but agents still don’t know who bought that ticket at the Des Moines Quik Trip.

The deadline has passed to redeem the ticket for any prize, but the investigation continued.

“(We) continue to actively investigate this case and pursue leads as they develop, however the public’s assistance is requested in identifying the individual who purchased the ticket in December 2010,” said a statement from the Iowa Department of Public Safety.

Anyone with information, or who might be able to identify the ticket purchaser, was asked to complete questions in an online tip sheet. 

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