Maya Loto Founder Sentenced for Massive Charity Fraud, Family Also Penalized
The founder of “Maya Loto,” Guy Leduc, 72, has been sentenced for orchestrating a large-scale fraud that bilked millions of euros from charitable organizations, primarily those supporting sick children. While the prosecution sought a four-year prison sentence, with two years suspended, Leduc received a three-year prison sentence, to be served with suspended time, and was ordered to repay owed funds to customs and the public treasury, as well as compensate civil parties. The Nîmes criminal court delivered the verdict on Tuesday, following a trial that began in December 2025.
Family Members Implicated and Sentenced
Leduc’s daughter, Elodie, 46, received a six-month suspended prison sentence, while his son, Thomas, 34, was sentenced to 12 months suspended. A former associate also received a 12-month suspended sentence. The court determined the offenses were committed as part of an organized gang.
Millions Raised, Minimal Funds Reaching Charities
The scheme, operating between 2021 and 2023, raised approximately 14 million euros through online lotteries. But, only 943,700 euros were ultimately distributed to the intended beneficiary associations. In one instance cited by the court, only 500 euros were paid to an association after 24,957 euros in stakes, after deducting operating and prize costs. The Leduc family’s companies managed all aspects of the operation, including filming and online promotion of the weekly lotteries.
Financial Penalties and Asset Seizure
In addition to the prison sentences and repayment orders, the court mandated that the Leduc family repay owed entertainment taxes to the Treasury, totaling over 4 million euros. Significant assets acquired through the fraudulent scheme were also confiscated, including six vehicles, a house, cash reserves, over 1.6 million euros held in bank accounts, and cryptocurrency holdings.
Compensation for Associations to be Determined
The amount of compensation owed to the dozens of associations that filed civil suits will be determined at a future hearing scheduled for November 30. Laurie Vitetta, president of the association Le Combat de Morgane contre l’AVC Pediatric, expressed relief at the verdict, stating, “It’s a super strong message sent to all these presenters who continue to organize online lottos: no, we cannot make money on the backs of associations by doing lottos.”
Leduc’s Defense and the Scale of the Fraud
During the December hearing, Guy Leduc questioned the associations’ motives for filing complaints. The prosecution characterized the scheme as the largest illegal lottery operation ever undertaken in France.
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