Twisted individual Edward Putman has a history of exploiting those closest to him. Since his conviction for rape in 1991, his life has been marked by various acts of cruelty, including allegations of domestic violence, benefit fraud, and violence, culminating in the elaborate 2009 National Lottery fraud.
The elaborate scheme was built on the unlikely friendship between Putman and Camelot fraud worker Giles Knibbs. Utilizing a fake ticket, Putman managed to claim £2.5 million, leading a lavish lifestyle that involved extravagant spending on BMWs and luxury vacations. The deception went unnoticed for seven years until the Gambling Commission penalized National Lottery operator Camelot with a £3 million fine due to inadequate controls that allowed a tampered ticket to win.
Investigations into council papers and land registry documents uncovered Putman’s extravagant spending post-lottery win, including the transformation of his lover’s home into a junkyard for old vehicles, with a cash outlay of £466,000. Subsequently, after his incarceration, the property was left abandoned and boarded up, only to be set ablaze by arsonists. Despite his early release from prison, questions linger over the whereabouts of the over £1 million he profited from the scam, as Putman settled a Proceeds of Crime Act court order.
The impact of Putman’s criminal activities on those around him remains undeniable, even as the fate of the ill-gotten gains remains shrouded in mystery.