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NYC C-store owner, son accused of trying to cheat jackpot winner

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y., Nov. 23 (UPI) -- A convenience store owner in Hempstead, N.Y., and his son face charges they cheated a customer out of a $1 million lottery ticket, police said Saturday.

Nabil Jaghab, 57, and Karim Jaghab, 26, are charged with grand larceny for allegedly conning the 34-year-old lottery ticket holder out of his jackpot by paying him just $1,000 for it, WCBS-TV, New York, reported.

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Nassau County police said the unidentified customer, who does not speak English, bought a $10 "Unwrap the Cash" New York State Lottery scratch-off ticket Thursday at the Peninsula Deli & Grocery. He gave the ticket to Karim Jaghab, who allegedly told him he had won $1,000, not $1 million, the TV station said.

Nagged by doubt, the man returned to the store the next day and the younger Jaghab allegedly told him he'd pay him $10,000 as long as you don't involve the police."

Nabil Jaghab also allegedly tried to convince the man to accept the $10,000 but the man called police, who determined it was worth $1 million.

The Jaghabs, both of East Meadow, were arrested for allegedly trying to scam the man out of the bulk of his winnings.

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At a bond hearing Saturday in Nassau County First District Court in Hempstead, the Jaghabs' attorney said his clients didn't intend to cheat their customer and that the lottery ticket machine at the store was not working properly.

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