‘Thought it was spam’: Darwin man wins $1.3m lottery

An Aussie man enjoying a holiday almost missed his big pay day – before getting the good news.

A Territorian who became an instant millionaire by hitting the lottery jackpot almost missed the news as he refused to pick up a call from an unknown number.

The Darwin man was enjoying a holiday when he won the TattsLotto on Saturday, banking $1.28m.

He initially ignored calls from lottery officials attempting to reach him.

After seeing a text claiming he’d won, the man initially wrote it off as spam, but curiosity prompted him to check his online account.

“Let’s just say there was some explicit language here and there – some colourful language I won’t repeat,” he said.

“It hasn’t sunk in.”

Finally connected with the lottery staff, the man told them “that’s insane”.

“Thank you very much. I am away from home on holidays, and I noticed I had received a couple of missed calls and a text message.

“I looked at the text message and immediately thought it was spam. I had the trip from hell getting to my holiday destination, and I was not in the mood to let anything else spoil my holiday.

“I almost didn’t let it faze me, but I logged into my online account with The Lott, and I checked my ticket. That’s when I saw I had won $1.3 million.”

With the money going straight to his bank account, the winner said he was planning a family reunion.

“Once my holiday is finished, I’ll pay my son a visit,” he said.

“I might not be home for a month.”

The Darwinite was one of four division one winners; two of the others from Western Australia and one from New South Wales.