A MAN who won a £100 voucher from Lidl’s cola lorry giveaway said he lost the money within 20 minutes when “somebody spent it”. 

Oliver Vincent said he was the victim of digital theft after, he believed, somebody took a photograph of the QR code for the voucher in amongst the crowd. 

Lidl’s own cola lorry came to The Triangle in Bournemouth town centre on Saturday, November 30, and saw hundreds line up for a free giftbox. 

The 42-year-old dad said he wanted to put the money towards meat for his family’s Christmas dinner and some toys for his five-year-old son, Bear. 

The golden ticket is only one of 25The golden ticket is only one of 25 (Image: Daily Echo)

Oliver, from Bournemouth, claimed his giftbox – one of only 250 available – and opened it to check for the golden ticket (one of 25), having been made aware of it by the security guard. 

“He then said get it out, wave it around, not knowing what it was, a QR code for all to see,” Oliver said. 

“And somebody must have taken a photograph of it when it was out.” 

Unaware that somebody may be spending his reward, Oliver went home and around 20 minutes after receiving the ticket, followed the ticket’s instructions. 

(Image: Daily Echo) He said: “I went home to download the Lidl app to redeem the voucher, but then I found out that it had already been claimed. 

“It would have helped towards Christmas meat, Christmas items, a box of Hot Wheels for my boy. He was very upset when we learned the money had gone. 

“Lidl should have put the golden ticket in an envelope, but it was just on display on top of everything for all to see. 

“I’d like it back, it would have helped towards our Christmas shopping, and we’re the rightful owner of it.” 

Oliver said a security guard told him to show everybody the ticket.

He said: “He told me to get it out and wave it around in a celebratory way." 

Dorset Police's spokesman said: "We received a report at 11.01pm on Saturday 30 November 2024 relating to the theft of a voucher worth £100 that was believed to have occurred earlier in the day in the area of The Triangle in Bournemouth.

"Enquiries into the matter are ongoing. No arrests have been made."

Lidl was approached for a comment but did not respond in time for publication.