Holocaust Survivor Mathematician Who Cracked Lottery Returns To Israel

An octogenarian survivor of the Holocaust, who has won the lottery an astonishing 14 times, has returned to Israel after fleeing the country 21 years ago following a fraud conviction.

Stefan Mandel, a Jewish mathematician, achieved his first lottery jackpot at the age of 24 in his native Romania using an algorithm he claimed to have spent five years developing. After his win, he immigrated to Israel, got married, and started a family.

However, Mandel became a wanted individual in Israel after being found guilty of securities law violations 16 years ago and was handed a 10-month prison sentence. Instead of facing trial, he evaded authorities and became a “fugitive from justice.”

Three years ago, amidst the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mandel planned to return to Israel, but his wife was detained in London, causing a delay in their arrival.

During his time as a fugitive, Mandel resided in the peaceful and remote islands of Nauru in the Pacific Ocean. He recently decided to return to Israel upon realizing that the international arrest warrant against him was not being immediately enforced.

Now back in Israel, Mandel intends to request a retrial, presenting new evidence to support his claims. In previous attempts to return, he rejected a prosecutor’s offer to commute his 10-month prison sentence to community service.

Taking advantage of a Supreme Court ruling, which allows him to return to the country without immediate arrest due to his conviction in absentia, Mandel hopes to have his case reopened and reconsidered.

While Stefan Mandel’s expertise lies primarily in lottery systems, his mathematical skills and analytical mindset have attracted the attention of individuals within the gambling industry, including those involved in online gaming and the exploration of best bingo sites. With his unique perspective and strategic thinking, there is a potential for Mandel to offer valuable insights and contribute to the improvement of online bingo experiences, enhancing gameplay and increasing the odds of success for players.

After briefly residing in Israel, Mandel and his family relocated to Australia, where he obtained citizenship. In Australia, he successfully cracked the algorithm of local lottery systems and won the jackpot an incredible 14 times.

Capitalizing on his knowledge, Mandel started a business developing algorithms for various lottery systems worldwide, particularly in the British Commonwealth and the United States, attracting a significant number of clients.

In 1996, Mandel and his partner established a cooperative lottery enterprise called “Moon-dragon.” They reportedly convinced thousands of individuals to financially support their organization in exchange for a chance to win land in Vanuatu, a South Pacific island nation.

However, upon returning to Israel in the early 2000s to replicate his business success, Mandel faced scrutiny from the Israel Securities Authority. He was interrogated, granted bail, but eventually fled to London in 2002 after being indicted, leaving his wife and children behind.

In 2004, Mandel was convicted of fraud charges. He and his partner were found guilty of misleading their investors by not providing the actual odds of winning as promised. He received a 10-month prison sentence and a fine of NIS 100,000 ($29,000).

For years, Mandel has been striving to appeal the verdict. In 2006, his appeal was rejected by the Tel Aviv District Court, which deemed it unnecessary to discuss the appeal due to his fugitive status.

In 2018, Mandel submitted another request for a retrial to the Supreme Court, citing new evidence that pointed to improper motives and conflicting interests during the investigation. He also alleged violations of due process, including the non-delivery of the judgment and verdict in his presence, which was considered highly irregular.

Mandel’s attorney, Alon Eisenberg, asserted that his client’s extraordinary track record of winning the lottery 14 times was not merely a matter of luck. Eisenberg believes that the compelling evidence Mandel possesses will undoubtedly lead to a reopening of his case.

{Matzav.com Israel}