Winchester Man Convicted of Scamming Mentally Disabled Woman

A Winchester man has been convicted of charges stemming from a February lottery ticket scam, which took place in Melrose, Chief Michael Lyle announced Thursday.

Chang Cho, 58, of Winchester pleaded guilty on Sept. 15 in Middlesex Superior Court to larceny over $250 from a person with a disability.

Cho was charged in February after he was accused of underpaying a mentally disabled woman who won $10,000 on a scratch ticket. Cho formerly owned RD’s Delicatessen and Market in Melrose.

“This was a truly tragic case where a man used his lottery license to take advantage of a disabled woman, stealing thousands of dollars in winnings from the rightful owner,” Chief Lyle said. “I’m certainly pleased to see this matter come to a close and I commend the Melrose Police Department and prosecutors for a job well done.”

Cho was given three years probation with the conditions that he does not trade/sell lottery tickets of any kind, does not conduct business with the elderly community and has no contact with the victim or her family.

“This case is an example of the emphasis both our office and the Melrose Police Department put on protecting our most vulnerable citizens,” said Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan. “The defendant not only attempted to take the victim’s money, but he also tried to take the victim’s dignity. I am grateful to our law enforcement partners for their efforts to ensure the successful prosecution of this individual.”