Twisted individual Edward Putman has a history of exploiting those closest to him throughout his life. Following his conviction for rape in 1991, he continued to engage in a series of malicious acts, including domestic violence, benefit fraud, and violence, culminating in the elaborate 2009 National Lottery fraud scheme.
This scheme was orchestrated through an unlikely partnership between Putman and Camelot fraud worker Giles Knibbs. Using a counterfeit ticket, Putman managed to claim a substantial £2.5 million prize, subsequently indulging in a lavish lifestyle that included extravagant purchases like BMWs and luxury vacations. The fraud went undetected for seven years until the Gambling Commission penalized Camelot £3 million in 2016 for inadequate controls that allowed a tampered ticket to win.
Investigations into council records and land registry documents unveiled Putman’s extravagant spending of £466,000 in cash on his partner’s property post-lottery win, transforming it into a cluttered haven for decaying vehicles. Despite being incarcerated, reports emerged of the property being set ablaze by arsonists while empty and boarded up. Additionally, revelations surfaced that Putman was released prematurely from prison under emergency measures to alleviate overcrowding.
Although authorities disclosed Putman’s compliance with a Proceeds of Crime Act court order, the fate of over £1 million acquired through the scam remains uncertain. Nevertheless, the detrimental impact of Putman’s criminal exploits on those in his vicinity is undeniable.