Two former Anderson County convenience store employees are accused of defrauding the South Carolina Education Lottery with stolen scratch-off tickets, according to state investigators.
Eric Thomas Brown Jr., 25, and Kayla Marie Madden, 37, were arrested after the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division investigated activity at a Stop-A-Minit on Abbeville Highway, FOX Carolina reported.
Investigators said Brown and Madden passed a number of stolen scratch-off tickets without paying for them on May 30 and June 4. The charges are accusations and have not been proven in court.
The Case Started at a Stop-A-Minit
FOX Carolina reported that the South Carolina Education Lottery asked SLED to investigate the case. Arrest warrants cited by the station tied the activity to the Stop-A-Minit on Abbeville Highway in Anderson County.
Investigators said Brown and Madden were seen on surveillance video and identified by other staff members. Both former employees were taken to the Anderson County Detention Center.
The Charges Were Different for Each Defendant
Brown was charged Monday with intent to defraud, counterfeit game tickets, and conspiracy to defraud the South Carolina Education Lottery, according to SLED.
Madden was charged July 8 with conspiracy to defraud the South Carolina Education Lottery.
Lottery Tickets Need Tight Store Controls
For convenience stores and gas stations that sell scratch-offs, the case points to a basic control issue: tickets should be tracked from dispenser to sale, and unpaid tickets should not be able to move through the system without a record.
Stores can reduce that risk by reconciling ticket inventory by shift, checking activated ticket packs against sales, reviewing lottery terminal activity, limiting who can access tickets, and comparing voids, payouts, and camera footage when numbers do not match.
Customers who buy lottery tickets should also keep the ticket in sight until the purchase is complete, ask for a receipt when available, and sign the back of any winning ticket before presenting it for a payout.