Alleged RD'S Deli Lottery Scammer Indicted

Patch File Photo

The former proprietor of a Melrose RD’s Delicatessen and Market suspected of cheating a woman out of a $10,000 lottery payout was indicted at a Middlesex District Court on Wednesday, Feb. 25, according to a statement from the Massachusetts District Attorney’s Office.

As Patch reported in 2014, 57-year-old Winchester man Chang Cho was allegedly behind the counter of the Melrose RD’s when a mentally disabled customer scratched off a “PAYDAY” ticket shown to be worth $1,000 on Nov. 3. The customer - and soon to be victim - didn’t realize “PAYDAY” tickets are worth 10 times the indicated amount.

When the victim tried to cash her ticket, Cho engaged in a brief conversation with his wife. Then, his wife handed the victim $1,000, of which Cho allegedly insisted he be given back $60, claiming that it was owed to him in taxes.

The Massachusetts Lottery Commission has no record of the ticket getting scanned. The victim’s family shared their suspicions with officials after she told them about the incident.

“It is horrific to hear about situations such as this,” said District Attorney Marian Ryan, in a statement to the media. “Not only did the suspect allegedly take away the victim’s money, he also tried to take away her dignity. We look forward to prosecuting this case to the fullest extent possible.”

An arrangement date has yet to be scheduled. The RD’s, formerly of 463 Franklin St., has since been replaced with another business.