A MAN whose stolen credit card was used to buy a winning lotto ticket worth £400,000 has offered to split the cash with the thieves.

All Jean-David E wants in return is for the thugs to come forward and return his belongings that were stolen from his car.

Jean-David’s backpack – including his wallet and ID – had been stolen earlier this month in the French city of Toulouse.

He quickly reported the theft to his bank and blocked the card, but soon realised a contactless payment of £40 had already been made at a corner shop, according to The Times.

When Jean-David visited the local store called Tabac des Thermes, he was told by the owner that homeless men had used his credit card to buy cigarettes and some French scratch-off lottery tickets.

One of them was a winning ticket worth a £400,000 jackpot.

Pierre Debuisson, Jean-David’s lawyer, said: “The thieves were so happy that they forgot their cigarettes and their belongings and walked out like crazy people.”

However, the thieves risk arrest if they try to claim the winnings themselves, acccording to Jean-David.

Cops could also seize the entire amount, he added.

This is because cops alerted La Française des Jeux (FDJ) – the state-owned lottery operator which issued the scratchcard – about the theft.

The thugs could get arrested if identify themselves to claim the windfall.

But it emerged that no one had come forward to claim the cash, 40-year-old Jean-David went on national radio to strike a deal with the thieves.

He said: “Let’s split the money. They have nothing to fear. Unless they contact my lawyer, the ticket is unusable, so why not do 50-50?

“I’d like to tell them to contact my lawyer so we can work out a friendly agreement.

“Without me, they wouldn’t have won, but without them, I wouldn’t have bought this scratchcard.”

Debuisson said his client had initially filed a police complaint but is not looking to press charges.

He added: “It’s an incredible story, but it’s all true.

“In these circumstances, my client is very happy that his card was stolen and he isn’t looking to prosecute.

“This is a miraculous opportunity for these two men to build a new life for themselves.”

The lawyer then a national appeal asking the suspects to contact his office and make a deal.

He added: “You risk nothing … we will share with you. And you would be able to change your lives.

“The ticket will eventually expire. Time is working against us.”

According to French lotto laws, scratchcard winners have just 30 days from the date of purchase to claim their winning amount.

For the thieves who stole Jean-David’s card and bought the tickets on February 3, the deadline is fast approaching.

The state lottery operator said no one had yet submitted the ticket to claim the prize.