A $55million Powerball prize which remains unclaimed a month after the draw could have been bought by a Greek man who returned to his homeland on holiday.
The ticket for the January 11 draw was bought at the Scole Lotto & News agency in Brunswick, Melbourne.
Organisers Tattslotto are trying to track down the winner and have heard hundreds of theories.
Today their spokesman said: ‘The latest theory is that it could be a Greek man who has travelled to his homeland on holiday, oblivious to the fact he could own the island he’s on.’
The ticket for the January 11 draw was bought at the Scole Lotto & News agency in Brunswick, Melbourne
A Tatts spokeswoman said it was unusual for someone to take so long to claim a huge prize
It comes after Sam Misiano, the owner of Scole Lotto & News in Melbourne’s Brunswick, said he has been inundated with customers trying to get their hands on the spoils.
‘I’ve heard everything. It’s out of this world. I’ve had so many numbers now with stories. One lady believed she threw the ticket away,’ he told The Sydney Morning Herald.
His shop has also been three times busier since he put up signs encouraging the winner to come forward.
Organisers Tatts are trying to track down the winner and have heard hundreds of theories
‘There has to be a really good percentage without reasonable doubt,’ he said. ‘It’s a lot of money, there’s been a lot of stories… We are the lucky shop now.’
According to Tattslotto rules, the winner has six months to claim their prize.
After that, the money will be held in perpetuity by the Victorian State Revenue Office unless the winning ticket holder comes forward.
Tatts is urging anyone who purchased their unregistered Powerball entry from Scole Lotto & News, Shop 6, to check their ticket as soon as possible and to get in touch to start the prize claim process.
The unknown winner correctly picked the six winning numbers 32, 7, 5, 34, 38 and 11, as well as the all-important Powerball, which was 12.
The lucky punter is now $55 million richer but possibly doesn’t even know it (stock picture)