A devious individual, Edward Putman, has a history of exploiting those closest to him throughout his life. Since his conviction for rape in 1991, Putman has been involved in a series of cruel actions, including allegations of domestic violence, benefit fraud, and violence, culminating in his most elaborate crime – the 2009 National Lottery fraud.
The scheme was orchestrated based on an unlikely friendship between Putman and Camelot fraud worker Giles Knibbs. Using a forged ticket, Putman falsely claimed a £2.5 million prize and proceeded to live extravagantly, splurging on luxury items such as BMWs and lavish vacations. The fraud remained undetected for seven years until 2016 when the Gambling Commission penalized National Lottery operator Camelot with a £3 million fine for inadequate controls that allowed a tampered ticket to win.
Investigations into council records and land registry documents revealed that Putman spent £466,000 in cash on his lover’s property post-lottery win, transforming it into a storage site for decaying cars. Following his imprisonment, the deserted house was set ablaze by arsonists. Despite being released early from prison due to crisis measures, Putman recently satisfied a Proceeds of Crime Act court order, leaving the fate of over £1 million acquired from the scam uncertain. The impact of Putman’s criminal activities on those in his circle remains undeniable.
