MINEOLA, N.Y. (1010 WINS) -- A Texas woman is under arrest for allegedly stealing $1 million in New York Lottery prize money money from her cousin.
Iris Amador Argueta, 32, of Houston, Texas, surrendered to Glen Cove police Monday, and was arraigned on grand larceny and criminal possession of a forged instrument charges.
“This defendant exploited her cousin’s trust, allegedly lying and manipulating him with the aim of pocketing the lion’s share of his $1 million winning lottery ticket for herself,” said acting Nassau District Attorney Joyce Smith.
According to the investigation, on Oct. 28, 2020, Argueta’s cousin purchased a $5 “Hold ‘Em Poker” scratch-off ticket from a 7-Eleven in Glen Cove. The ticket ended up revealed a $1 million jackpot prize.
The victim then contacted Argueta, asking her to claim the prize on his behalf because he wanted to remain anonymous, officials said. Argueta was promised $50,000 in exchange for claiming the money, to which they apparently agreed.
According to officials, Argueta drove to New York from Virginia to get the ticket, and mailed it to the state Gaming Commission on Nov. 13, 2020 because it wasn’t receiving tickets in-person due to pandemic rules.
Weeks later, Argueta visited her cousin’s home with paperwork claiming the state lottery said the winnings were only $20,000. She only gave her cousin $13,436, claiming the rest was taxed.
Investigators said an internet search revealed the NYS Lottery press release of Argueta claiming the $1 million prize, with a lump sum payment of $537,440.
The victim then called Argueta to tell her what she saw, but Argueta allegedly insisted she didn’t have any additional money, and if he continued to call, he would suffer “legal consequences.”
Investigators said Argueta received the more than half-million dollars from the state Gaming Commission, and paperwork allegedly shown to her cousin was forged.
Argueta faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted on the top count.
Glen Cove police and the Nassau DA’s office said they’ve recovered about $317,000 in alleged stolen funds from Argueta’s bank account.