Seeking Victim of $12.5-million Super 7 Scam
OPP LAY CHARGES AFTER INVESTIGATING 2003 LOTTERY WIN
ORILLIA, ON –Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have charged three Greater Toronto Area residents following a lengthy investigation into a major prize lottery win in December 2003. Police are also seeking the victim of this fraud – the rightful winner of a 12.5-million dollar lottery prize.
Investigation by the OPP team assigned to conduct lottery investigations has revealed that a father and son were actively stealing lottery tickets from customers at a lottery retail location in Burlington where they were employed. The investigation has also revealed that, after the Lotto Super 7 draw was held on December 26, 2003, the two men provided the winning ticket to a female family member to claim, in an attempt to conceal their association between their criminal activity and the lottery retail location. The lottery prize was paid out in December 2004 by the Ontario Lottery Corporation.
Charged with Fraud Over $5000, Possession Under $5000, Possession Over $5000 (Proceeds of Crime) and Money Laundering are 29-year-old Kathleen CHUNG of Oakville, 60-year-old Jun-Chul CHUNG of Thornhill, and 28-year-old Kenneth CHUNG of Thornhill. Jun-Chul CHUNG and Kenneth CHUNG are also charged with Theft Under $5000 (3 counts each) and Possession Under $5000 (2 counts each).
“The OPP is committed to bring to justice those who would victimize people by defrauding them of their rightful lottery winnings,” says OPP Commissioner Chris D. Lewis. “We are also optimistic that publicizing information about this investigation will help us to identify the victim of this $12.5-million fraud.”
The OPP Asset Forfeiture Unit has also executed search warrants and seized financial and physical assets belonging to the individuals charged pursuant to a parallel Proceeds of Crime investigation.
All three accused have been detained in custody pending a bail hearing in Milton court on Wednesday, September 29, 2010.
