Undercover Florida Lottery investigation finds Tampa retailer owner allegedly misrepresented a $1,000 winning ticket

Tampa, Florida – The Florida Lottery has suspended lottery activity at a Tampa convenience store after an undercover investigation found that a retailer owner allegedly misrepresented the value of a winning Scratch-Off ticket and attempted to keep the ticket.

The investigation took place Aug. 19 at Zoya Shell, located at 3602 W. Gandy Boulevard in Tampa. Florida Lottery Special Agents were conducting an undercover compliance check when an agent entered the store with several items, including a winning Florida Lottery Scratch-Off ticket worth $1,000.

The undercover agent also presented the clerk with a non-winning ticket and two energy drinks. The clerk was identified by the Florida Lottery as Amar Yasser Hamden.

Hamden scanned the winning Scratch-Off ticket using the store’s Florida Lottery terminal. According to the Lottery, the terminal clearly showed that the ticket was a winner. It also produced a Player Claim Instructions receipt confirming that the prize was valued at more than $599.

Despite that information, Hamden allegedly told the undercover agent that the winning ticket was worth only $5.

The Florida Lottery said Hamden then kept the ticket instead of returning it to the person who had presented it. Investigators said the apparent intention was to retain the $1,000 winning ticket and later claim the prize.

The situation changed when the undercover agents identified themselves as Florida Lottery Special Agents and began questioning Hamden about the ticket.

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At first, Hamden reportedly told investigators that he had thrown the winning ticket into the trash. Investigators continued looking into what had happened, and the ticket was eventually found inside Hamden’s vehicle.

The Player Claim Instructions receipt connected to the winning ticket was also found in the vehicle, according to the Florida Lottery.

The discovery led to immediate action against the retailer. The Florida Lottery suspended all Lottery activity at the location and removed Florida Lottery inventory from the store.

Hamden was issued a Notice to Appear for allegedly violating section 24.118(2) of Florida Statutes. The statute concerns the unlawful assignment or transfer of the right to claim a Lottery prize.

Florida Lottery Secretary Reginald D. Dixon said retailers have an important responsibility when dealing with players and their winning tickets.

“Our retailers are entrusted with serving Florida Lottery players and handling winning tickets with honesty and integrity,” said Florida Lottery Secretary Reginald D. Dixon. “We take that responsibility seriously, and when a retailer violates that trust, we will act to protect our players and the integrity of the Lottery.”

The Florida Lottery is also reminding players that they should take steps to confirm the value of their tickets before leaving a retailer.

Players have several ways to check a ticket. They can use the Florida Lottery mobile app, use a self-service ticket checker at participating Lottery retailers, or ask a retailer to scan the ticket through the official Lottery terminal.

The Lottery also advises players to keep their winning ticket and the receipt they receive after verification. That documentation can be important if there is a question about the ticket or its prize.

The Tampa investigation illustrates why players are encouraged to verify the amount of a winning ticket themselves rather than relying only on information provided at the counter. In this case, the terminal produced information showing that the ticket was worth more than $599, while the clerk allegedly told the undercover agent it was worth only $5.

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The Florida Lottery said its Security team continues to work with law enforcement agencies as part of its efforts to protect the integrity of Lottery games and ensure players are treated fairly.

The agency also encourages players and members of the public to report concerns involving possible integrity violations. Reports can be submitted to the Florida Lottery’s Integrity and Intelligence Section, where they are reviewed by officials.

The reporting system is available around the clock, with reports accepted 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Lottery said concerns are reviewed promptly.

The investigation at Zoya Shell was part of an undercover compliance operation by Florida Lottery Special Agents. The agency’s response included not only issuing the Notice to Appear but also immediately removing Lottery products and stopping Lottery activity at the retailer.

For players, officials continue to stress a straightforward precaution: check the ticket, confirm the prize amount and keep the ticket and receipt.

The Florida Lottery’s investigation began with what appeared to be a routine transaction involving a Scratch-Off ticket. It ultimately resulted in the suspension of Lottery activity at the Tampa retailer after agents determined that a $1,000 winning ticket had allegedly been represented as being worth just $5 and was then retained.

The case serves as a reminder that players have tools available to independently verify their winnings and that the Florida Lottery expects retailers to handle winning tickets honestly and according to state law.