They are called Facebook “friends” aren’t they?
A woman from Perth has learnt a tough lesson about social media and gambling – and taught us one in the meantime.
Never post the barcode of your winning ticket on social media.
(Who knew?!)
The woman, named Chantelle from Perth backed the $100-1 winner Prince Of Penzance in the Melbourne Cup.
Triumphant, she did what you do when you just win $825 — posted a selfie on Facebook.
There she was, joyous, elated and it turns out very very vulnerable to cameras.
“Winner winner chicken dinner” was her excited message alongside the perfectly captured image of her ticket’s barcode.
Little did Chantelle know that the photo of the barcode could be used at an automated machine to claim the cash and one of her Facebook friends decided to do exactly that.
Speaking to Triple M radio yesterday Chantelle said, “When we found out we naturally took a bit of a selfie to show my friends,” she told Merrick Watts.
She says she had never had a bet before.
“When Prince of Penzance’s name came up we were stoked, we were so happy!”
Triple M FacebookJust 15 minutes after the race she took her winning ticket to the TAB to cash out her bet and was told it had already been claimed.
“Someone had a pretty good game at filtering my picture and cutting out my barcode and putting it into an automated machine,” Chantelle said.
She then realised that the only person who would have been able to do it must be one of her Facebook friends.
“To the low life who is obviously my friend on Facebook and used my photo to claim our winnings. You’re a massive dick. You ruined my day,” she later posted to Facebook.
“I might need a bit of a Facebook cull now,” she said.
Chantelle told Triple M that police were confident they would be able to identify the person or people involved.
Good old Triple M have helped Chantelle recoup some of her losses giving her the full amount of money she placed on the bet — $20.
At least it’s a start.
Winning jockey Michelle Payne talks about how she couldn’t believe her win.
Top Comments
'Who knew?!' Ahhh everyone, it's common knowledge...well except for her lol
For the life of me I can't figure out this con works because how do you put a photo through the TAB machine? Or is it like a scanner that the supermarkets use?
In any case I've heard of a few righteous people saying what was she thinking posting a photo of the barcode, that sanctimonious attitude really bugs me because before this happened I don't know of anyone who knew such a con would be possible so it's hardly common knowledge that this can be done. It seems for every person who is sympathetic there are two others who feel the need to blame the victim. Obviously those people have intricate knowledge of everything in the world, I guess they are known as know it alls. I would love to give these people a lie detector test and see how many of them really did know about barcode theft before this!
In the meantime I feel so sorry for this girl, and her male friend who was also ripped off. Someone should come good and help them out.