Lotto winner finally claims $55 million prize six months later

ONE lucky Melburnian walked out of a Tattslotto office $55 million richer on Wednesday after claiming a jackpot almost six months after it was drawn.

ONE lucky Melburnian on Wednesday claimed a multimillion-dollar lotto ticket almost six months after it was drawn.

The mystery winner walked into the Tattslotto office with the golden ticket on Wednesday morning and walked out $55 million richer.

And they fronted up just in time. If it had not been claimed in the next week, the prizemoney would have been forwarded to the State Revenue Office Victoria.

$55M WINNING TICKET STILL UNCLAIMED

DOZENS CLAIM TO BE MYSTERY WINNER

Months of speculation gave people ample opportunity to try to claim the prize as their own.

“We’ve had a few people who have come forward and claimed their dog ate the ticket or that it had gone through the wash,” Powerball spokesman Matt Hart said.

But anyone wanting to cash in on the winning ticket needed to narrow the time of purchase down to a small window and fill out a form through Tattslotto.

The Powerball spokesman speculated the elusive winner, who has chosen to remain anonymous, would spend their bumper bonus on their family.

“Previous winners have told us they use the money to pay off their homes and then help their family. It certainly affects lots of generations,” Mr Hart said.

“It really is about the enormous freedom. It’s a really enviable position.”

The winning ticket was purchased at Brunswick’s Scole Lotto and News and drawn on January 11.

The player’s winning entry was unregistered so Tatts had no way of contacting them with the life-changing news.

Sydney Rd newsagent Sam Misiano, 48, said he had been waiting in anxious anticipation for the winner to come forward.

“After getting that news, it was like getting a weight lifted,” he said. “It’s been so emotional.”

He hopes the winner comes in one day and introduces themselves.

“I just want to meet the person. It’s the dream,” Mr Misiano said. “I’d want to say good luck and tell them to make their life count.”

Had the person claimed their winnings earlier, they could have been earning up to $4000 a day for the past six months, according to a money expert at finder.com.au.

“The lotto winner could, in theory, have earned $777,000 in interest alone on this amount if they saved their funds with online banks ING or ME,” Bessie Hassan said

WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH $55 MILLION

— Victoria’s house price record was smashed with this home in Malvern, which came in at an eye-watering $52.5 million.

Stonnington Mansion in Malvern from real estate.com

— Mowbray in Toorak sold for $40 million if you want some spare change.

The previous record-holder was Mowbray in Toorak.

— And you’d be richer than Chris Hemsworth (just). Hemsworth’s estimated net worth is US$40 million, which is about $54 million in Australian dollars.

INSIDE AUSSIE STAR’S SPRAWLING HOMES

Australian actor Chris Hemsworth. Picture: AAP