Man who won $1.1 billion in lotto comes forward nine months later to claim prize

One lucky man is now $1.1 billion richer after winning the lotto – but there was a mind-boggling twist in how he collected his prize.

The winner of the fifth-largest jackpot in Mega Millions history has come forward to claim their prize — nine months after the lucky numbers were drawn.

The unidentified victor — who will remain anonymous — has submitted the golden ticket worth $1.128 billion to start the collection process, the New York Post reports.

The Monmouth County ShopRite in Neptune, New Jersey, sold the big winner that matched lotto numbers 7, 11, 22, 29 and 38 — as well as the Gold Mega Ball number 4 and multiplier number of 2, the outlet said.

The drawing was held on March 26.

A state law allows the winner to stay nameless as long as they like, although the player must prove their identity to lotto officials.

The man won an insane amount in lotto. Picture: iStock

The winner, who manually chose the numbers themselves, elected to take home the pre-tax cash value of more than $537 million.

Earlier this month, a South Australian man discovered by chance he had the winning ticket for a mammoth $50 million Oz Lotto jackpot, leaving him “shell-shocked” and declaring his workdays are done.

The sole division one-winning entry was purchased at Terry White Chemmart Pharmacy in the small town of Barra, about two hours north of Adelaide.

Following Tuesday night’s draw, the man checked his ticket yesterday and learnt the life-changing outcome.

“I didn’t even know the jackpot had been won and there was a winner,” he said. “It’s unbelievable. It’s f***ed. I can’t believe it.”

His ticket was unregistered, meaning The Lott officials couldn’t contact him after the draw and instead had to wait for him to come forward.

He won over a billion dollars. Picture: iStock

It marks the state’s second-biggest lotto haul this year, after an Adelaide man bagged a staggering $150 million Powerball jackpot in May.

The latest winner was too stunned to have any immediate firm plans for the tax-free cash, but said “this does absolutely everything for me”.

“I’ll treat myself and help my family. I don’t think I’ll work again. I think my workdays are done.”

Burra Terry White Chemmart Pharmacy retail manager Kelly Bray was just as shocked, saying she was “stoked” for the man.

“I can’t stop shaking and I didn’t even win it,” Ms Bray said.

“It’s incredible. It’s such big news for our pharmacy and for Burra. I’m so stoked for our winner and wish him all the very best with his prize.”

A portion of this article originally appeared on the New York Post and was reproduced here with permission.

Originally published as Man who won $1.1 billion in lotto comes forward nine months later to claim prize