A National Lottery winner has claimed his £1,500 EuroMillions HotPicks prize was stolen after the winnings were mysteriously deposited into a stranger’s bank account.
Andros Kyriacou, 62, matched three numbers in the draw on October 4, and promptly filed a claim with the National Lottery to pick up his winnings.
The Stansted Airport baggage handler has been left waiting for his £1,500 prize for nearly two months – but not before discovering his cheque was issued and cashed by someone else after his jackpot.
What should have been an exciting first lottery win has turned into a nightmare for Kyriacou, who believes his winnings may have been taken in an “inside job”.
Kyriacou believes his winnings may have been taken in an ‘inside job’
PA
According to emails seen by The Sun, the National Lottery issued the 62-year-old’s cheque on October 8.
The prize money was then cashed into an account number that did not match any of Kyriacou’s bank accounts.
“It’s either that [an inside job] or the postman,” Kyriacou said, and claimed he had been told it would have been the “first time” a winning prize has been stolen.
The baggage handler has labelled the situation “saddening” – and claims he was initially dismissed when trying to contact the National Lottery.
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The 62-year-old Stansted staff member said he was constantly ‘stressed and confused’ after the ordeal
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“They are not responding, they are not cooperating, they are not doing their jobs properly,” he said.
The 62-year-old said he was constantly “stressed and confused”, adding: “I can’t sleep properly.
“I love my job and this is ruining it for me, with the stress… My stomach is shaking.”
Kyriacou is determined to see the culprit identified and prosecuted for theft.
A spokesman for Allwyn, which operates The National Lottery, confirmed they are investigating Kyriacou’s claim.
“We can confirm that a cheque was issued to the player on the same day the claim came into us, which was subsequently cashed.
“We are now working with the relevant bank to get to the bottom of it. We are in touch with the player and will continue to update him.
“We’re sorry for this inconvenience, but please rest assured that all players receive any prize entitled to them.”
