Fake Lottery Winner Causes Riot

Posted on October 18th, 2009

An Ohio woman who claimed she had just won the Ohio lottery pulled up in front of a Burlington Coat Factory store in Columbus Ohio and announced she would pay for everyone’s purchases up to $500. Linda Brown of Columbus Ohio went on a shopping spree which began when she hired a Hummer stretch limousine and had the driver take her to the Burlington Factory store. She then announced to customers that she had won the lottery and would pay for everyone’s purchases up to $500.

Columbus police officer Lt. Michael Deakins said, “Well, of course, people like to hear that. Apparently they were in line calling relatives who were not at the store and told them to come.”  Chaos reigned as customers’ flooded check out registers and one report said there were about 500 customers inside the store and another 1,000 outside trying to get in the store. Officer Deakins said, “She was telling people she won $1.5 million. But it ends up she didn’t win anything. She had no money to pay for anything.”

An hour after she arrived Brown had the limo driver take her to the bank but returned to the store without any money. In the meantime store employees had called in more police officers to control the crowds gathered outside the store. By the time store employees realized that lottery imposter Brown had no funds and wasn’t going to pay for anything she had taken off in the limo.

When angry customers realized that the whole thing was a hoax they began to trash the store. Columbus Police Detective Steven Nace stated, “Everybody was like, ‘I still want my free stuff,’ and that started the riot. It looks like (Hurricane) Katrina went through the store.” Many customers began throwing clothing on the floor and some grabbed merchandise and fled. Fake lottery winner Brown was arrested on outstanding warrants for aggravated menacing, misuse of a 911 system and causing false alarms. Brown is undergoing a mental health evaluation.

Although the motives for Ms. Brown’ actions are unclear most lottery players play to win. Most big winners keep their big wins secret until they can get competent financial advice. To win any lottery the purchase of a lottery ticket is necessary. In an attempt to boost sales some states now allow the sale of online lottery tickets. Players need only to log on, establish an account and buy online lottery tickets. Players can also check for the most recent winning numbers online. The ability to make an online lottery purchase is a real convenience for players.