(Prudent Press Agency)---Kansas Takes Action Against Lottery Fraud During the past year there have been several news stories about lottery players being defrauded by clerks at lottery terminals throughout North America. In widely reported November news story out of Texas revealed that Texas lottery player Willis Willis was cheated out of $1 million dollars by an unscrupulous clerk at the convenience where he purchased lottery tickets. Willis took his tickets to be scanned for winners and the clerk took the winning lottery ticket, told Willis he had won nothing, and cashed the ticket and fled the country. In a move which could damage the credibility of the Texas lottery, officials have told Willis that they consider the thief, Pankaj Joshi to be the 'official' winner because he redeemed the stolen lottery ticket. Willis is considering a lawsuit.

A similar Canadian case involving the same kind of lottery fraud had a much different outcome. A Toronto convenience store-owner, Hafiz Malik stole $5.75-million jackpot using the same method used in the Texas case. A group of Canadian lottery players regularly played the same numbers and when a member of the group found out their numbers had won they hired a private investigator which led to Malik. Malik had made several purchases with his ill gotten gains including a 2002 Land Rover, a 2002 Mercedes ML3 and a million dollar home in an upscale neighborhood in Mississauga. Malik was convicted of theft and all of his assets were seized. The legitimate winners were awarded their lottery jackpot including $788,000 in interest.

The state of Kansas has been conducting sting operations to prevent this kind of theft by lottery terminal clerks. Law enforcement agents fanned out across the state and presented 'winning' tickets at several retail lottery outlets. In five separate cases clerks told the agents the tickets were worthless and then tried to redeem the 'winning' lottery tickets. The undercover investigation led to charges of attempted theft and computer crime against five people across the state. Lottery officials across the country advise lottery players to check their own tickets.

Thanks to the internet and modern technology it is now possible in some states to purchase online lottery tickets. Lotto players can check for current results online or from a mobile device. The ability to purchase online lottery tickets is a real convenience for players; no more trips to the lottery retailer and no more standing in long lines. Purchasing online lottery tickets is a quick and easy way to avoid lottery fraud.