Melrose Deli Owner Allegedly Scammed Customer of Lottery Winnings

Melrose Police are in the process of pursuing charges against the owner of RD’s Delicatessen & Market, who allegedly scammed a customer out of over $9,000 in lottery winnings earlier this month.

Police are finalizing their investigation and will soon meet with officials from the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office to formalize the charges, according to a department release Friday.

“These are troubling allegations, in which our investigation shows that a Melrose resident was taken advantage of and duped out of her rightful winnings,” Police Chief Michael Lyle said in a statement. “We continue to gather facts and expect to have a resolution to this case soon.”

The Massachusetts Lottery Commission contacted the department last week about the alleged fraud. The commission stripped the owner, who police have not named, of his right to sell lottery tickets.

According to authorities, a Melrose resident believed she had won $1,000 on a lottery ticket but actually had won $10,000. When she turned in the ticket at the deli, the owner allegedly gave her $940 and said he had deducted $60 in taxes.

The woman told her family who were suspicious and contacted authorities.

She has since received her rightful winnings, according to NECN.

The owner’s Common Victualler, or operating, license expires on Wednesday, Dec. 31, and the City of Melrose is exploring its options with regards to whether or not to renew his license, according to the release.

RD’s is at 463 Franklin St.

If anyone believes they may have been victimized out of money or lottery winnings, they should contact Melrose Police Sgt. Paul McNamara at 781-979-4472 or pmcnamara@cityofmelrose.org. Members of the public with concerns can also call the department at 781-665-1212.