Robbed of scratch card prizes by agent

On July 13, I bought a High 5’s scratch card from one of your agents in Chaguanas.

I scratched the Game 2 panel which disclosed the number 5. I scratched the first horizontal line on the Game 1 panel, which disclosed three Xs, when I received a phone call to urgently assist a patient who was having a medical procedure.

I quickly handed the card to the vendor and enquired as to what the prize I had won. She quickly put the card in her bag and informed me I had won $5. Unfortunately, I had not scratched the part of the card that discloses the prize won on Game 1. I took another card instead of the $5 and hurriedly left.

Some time later that day I had the opportunity to read the instructions on both the front and back of the card and realised that I was cheated of $50 for Game 2 and whatever prize for Game 1.

I then checked with a Lotto outlet and was informed that again I had not completely scratched the card.

I was told the vendor should have given me the proper advice and assistance and that I was indeed cheated of $50 on Game 2 and a prize of up to $150,000 on Game 1.

My reason for contacting you is that under the law the vendor is your agent, authorised to act on your behalf and to create legal contractual relations with a third party (external relationship) and which binds you in the obligations he or she creates against third parties.

As a Trinidad-born national of the UK, I am deeply distressed that this sort of criminal behaviour could be perpetrated against anyone, let alone foreigners.

From my accent the vendor stated she knew from which country I came.

I have reason to believe you have systems in place to trace claims over $200 made at an NLCB office. The scratch card in my possession bears the number 058 at the bottom right hand corner which would suggest the disputed card is numbered 057.

I have contacted an attorney, my high commission and various media houses for further assistance in the event that a satisfactory resolution is not arrived at. Please be assured that I do not intend to allow this matter to wither away.

JIM JHINKOO via email