Centre Co., PA (WJAC) — State police in Centre County have formally filed charges against a Pa Furnace man, and his teenage son, after the duo was accused of stealing thousands of dollars in a Pennsylvania Lottery coupon scam.
In February, search warrants provided new details about the now months-long investigation into the scheme.
Troopers allege that Eslam Hamouda, and his 17-year-old son, redeemed the fraudulent tickets at various local retailers in both Blair and Centre Counties.
Authorities noted that the investigation began in early January after the Pennsylvania Lottery Commission reviewed its lottery coupon redemption report, which reportedly showed that more coupons had been redeemed in the state than what the PA Lottery had sent out to customers.
Troopers say Hamouda and his son were identified through surveillance video, as well as by the use of their own rewards cards at multiple retailers where the alleged scams occurred.
Authorities also note that a search of their home led to the discovery of "large amounts" of U.S. currency and a cell phone in connection to the alleged theft investigation.
According to online court records, Hamouda was arraigned Tuesday afternoon on various charges, including felony theft and forgery.
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