Grandmother Who Claimed She Won The Lottery Could Still Earn A Million - Says Man Who Helped ‘White Dee’
THEY say cheats seldom prosper. But the woman who falsely claimed she won £33million on the lottery could still be in line for a windfall, it has been claimed.
Susanne Hinte was in hiding last night after the real holder of the second winning ticket came forward after days of speculation.
But she could still cash in as the ‘lady who tried to claim the £33million on the lottery’, according to the man who helped raise the profile of Deirdre ‘White Dee’ Kelly.
Miss Hinte, a 48-year-old German grandmother from Worcester, had claimed she put her ticket through a washing machine, and produced one that still showed the winning numbers – but crucially not the date on which it was bought, or the its ID number.
Camelot does not pay out on damaged tickets until after its six-month claim deadline.
But now the real winners have made themselves known to Camelot to claim their half of the record Lotto jackpot.
Cashing in: Barry Tomes and White Dee
However, Barry Tomes, who represents White Dee – who made her name on Channel 4’s Benefits Street – claimed Miss Hinte’s notoriety could now help her earn a seven-figure amount over the next few years.
He told the Daily Star: ‘Everyone is talking about her. She has earned herself notoriety. A few years ago that was a bad thing but these days it is a commodity and it is bankable.’
Topless pictures of Miss Hinte have also emerged in th past few days, with Mr Tomes suggesting this as a potential avenue for her.
‘She’ll be offered porn and adult work,’ he said. ‘She needs to be handled carefully but she looks like a woman who is up for plenty of things. She will be in demand even though Camelot have said her claim is not valid.’
Under his guidance, White Dee has appeared on Celebrity Big Brother and presented a documentary series as well as releasing a rap single and weight loss DVD.
But before he gets to work hlping Miss Hinte – who has not been seen since Saturday – she faces the prospect of being investigated over her false claim.
Earlier this week, Camelot said it would take action if it thought someone had ‘intentionally attempted to defraud the National Lottery’. It received hundreds of other claims for the outstanding £33,035,323.
False claim: Susanne Hinte
Miss Hinte’s story however, gained the most traction after it emerged that the ticket was bought in Worcester. She claimed the ticket went through the wash in her jeans after buying it near her home in the suburb of Warndon.
Last night there was no answer at Miss Hinte’s semi-detached home or at the home of her daughter Natasha Douglas, 28.
A neighbour of Miss Hinte said she hoped the former prison custody officer and barmaid should be investigated for her claim.
Susan Gormley, 70, said: ‘I didn’t think for one minute that she had won it. I was hoping she had won so she’d move.’
Miss Hinte has had court appearances for non-payment of fines, failing to reveal a driver’s identity and failure to pay her TV licence. She is facing two trials in March for theft and motoring offences.
West Mercia Police said it could investigate only if it received a complaint from Camelot. A National Lottery spokesman declined to comment last night on whether would be referring Miss Hinte’s case.
Pictures from Rex