Woman stole winning $1 million lottery ticket from her brother

A Texas woman pleaded guilty to a criminal charge. She faces up to 4 years in prison for stealing a $1 million New York State Lottery jackpot ticket from her cousin. CNN.

Iris Amador Argueta, 34, pleaded guilty on January 20 to second-degree grand larceny. She stole a winning $1 million scratch-off lottery ticket from her cousin. She claimed over $500 in winnings (after taxes) in November 000.

Argueta's cousin bought a New York State Lottery Hold 'Em Poker ticket in October 2020. He won the $1 million jackpot.

On the subject: You can quit your job: New Yorker wins '$5000 a week for life' prize

Cousin asked Argeta to cash in the winning lottery ticket in exchange for $50 in winnings because he didn't want to publicize his name as the winner.

Argueta went to her cousin's place, got hold of the winning ticket, and mailed it to the New York State Lottery to collect the winnings. She received a lump sum prize from lottery officials totaling over $537 (after tax).

Argueta lied to her cousin that the ticket only won $20.000

She handed him an envelope with $13, claiming that the rest was seized for taxes. Argueta even presented her cousin with forged documents purporting to be from lottery officials detailing the winnings.

It wasn't until the cousin came across a press release from the New York State Lottery that he learned that his cousin had been declared the winner of the $1 million jackpot and she had won over $500.

The victim called Argeta after seeing the press release. But she insisted that she had no money. And she even said that he would “incur legal consequences” if he continued to communicate with her on this topic.

Argueta was arrested in November 2021 in Texas. In May, she withdrew her $317 winnings from her bank account. It was returned to her cousin.

Argeta's trial will take place on March 15, according to a spokesman for the district attorney's office. She is expected to be "sentenced to prison terms ranging from 16 months to 4 years."