Man wins 188 million euros in the lottery: he still feels ripped off and files a lawsuit

California (USA) - A US American won the equivalent of 188 million euros in the lottery. Nevertheless, he felt ripped off and sued the lottery company.

By his own admission, Faramarz Lahijani always played with the same numbers for years. (symbolic image)
By his own admission, Faramarz Lahijani always played with the same numbers for years. (symbolic image)  © 123rf/gabrielpetrescu

He just wants to double up.

When Faramarz Lahijani matched all the numbers in the Mega Millions lottery draw on December 8, 2023, it changed his life forever.

Although the lucky player had to share the jackpot of no less than 394 million dollars with another player, he was still entitled to 197 million dollars (188 million euros), the Patch portal reported.

But the winner feels cheated: The multimillionaire wants the entire jackpot all to himself. Because, Lahijani claims, he also had the other winning ticket. However, he had misplaced the second lucky ticket and was therefore unable to redeem the ticket by the end of the deadline last weekend.

The man from California believes this is unfair and has therefore filed a lawsuit in one of the most unusual cases in lottery history.

Winner takes on lottery company

Because he had merely misplaced the second ticket, he would still be entitled to the entire jackpot, the plaintiff believes. (symbolic image)
Because he had merely misplaced the second ticket, he would still be entitled to the entire jackpot, the plaintiff believes. (symbolic image)  © ANGELA WEISS / AFP

According to the statement of claim, Lahijani bought both tickets at a petrol station in Encino (Greater Los Angeles area). Moreover, it would not matter whether the ticket reappeared or not. After all, no other winner had come forward by the closing date on December 7.

The fact is: the second ticket with exactly the same numbers was also sold at the lucky ticket office.

"Due to the timely submission of the first matching ticket, the plaintiff is entitled to the entire jackpot," it says in the statement of claim.

The state lottery company California Lottery naturally sees things a little differently. "While this is incredibly unusual and interesting, it's nothing entirely new," says spokesperson Carolyn Becker.

"There are a number of explanations; maybe one person wanted to try their luck on two different lines for some reason, or maybe a couple of friends wanted to try their luck with the exact same numbers. We won't know exactly how that happened until the prize is claimed," she told theNew York Post.

According to the statutes, the unpaid mega-winnings are now to benefit the education system in California.

Lahijani's lucky numbers were 21, 26, 53, 66 and 70, and he also had the correct additional number 13 on his ticket.