Jamaican lottery winner N. Gray collects check wearing smiley face emoji mask

No long-lost family members or friends who’ve drifted apart will be coming out of the woodwork to hit one Jamaican lottery winner up for cash.

A woman known only by the name N. Gray recently one a cash prize equal to about $1 million USD, and attended a press conference on June 5 to collect her winnings.

But if her smiles for the cameras seems plastered on, that’s because it literally was: Gray showed up to the event wearing a yellow emoji face mask to protect her identity.

She looks happy! A woman known only by the name N. Gray recently one a cash prize equal to about $1 million USD

Clever disguise! She attended a press conference on June 5 to collect her winnings wearing an emoji face mask

Clever disguise! She attended a press conference on June 5 to collect her winnings wearing an emoji face mask

Sneaky... The funny lotto winner appeared to winking at everyone while holding onto the secret of her identity 

Sneaky… The funny lotto winner appeared to winking at everyone while holding onto the secret of her identity 

Gray’s winning lottery numbers were announced on May 12, when she found out she had won $180 million JM of the $301.5 million JM jackpot.

On June 5, she showed up to collect her check, wearing a colorful patterned top, matching pants — and a mask of a winking smiley face emoji.

Photos show her picking up her giant novelty check and giving a thumbs up to the camera.

Several lotteries operate with rules that require winners to publicly come forward, at least in some capacity. Rules vary in different countries and states — sometimes, it is possible to claim anonymously, but in other places a winner’s name must be published.

However, many legal experts advise that when possible, lottery winners should keep their identities a secret, and even set up a trust to claim it.  

Woohoo! She won $180 million JM of the $301.5 million JM jackpot

Woohoo! She won $180 million JM of the $301.5 million JM jackpot

Transparency: Several lotteries, including this one run by Supreme Ventures Ltd., operate with rules that require winners to publicly come forward

Transparency: Several lotteries, including this one run by Supreme Ventures Ltd., operate with rules that require winners to publicly come forward

Shh! Experts often warn lotto winners to keep their names secret if possible, since these new millionaires frequently end up fielding requests for donations

Shh! Experts often warn lotto winners to keep their names secret if possible, since these new millionaires frequently end up fielding requests for donations

Winning a large lump sum of money can make winners a target for crime, meanwhile there are many well-known cases of winner blowing through their winnings quickly, particularly because people beg them for cash and donations.

According to Business Insider, Sharon Tirabassi — who won more than $10 million CAN in Ontario in 2004 — was left with nothing after spending her money on, among other things, handouts and loans to friends and family.  

Billy Bob Harrell Jr. won $31 million in Texas in 1997, but it too ran out. Though he spent much of it himself, he also admitted that he couldn’t say no when people asked for handouts.

Before committing suicide, he told a financial adviser that ‘winning the lottery is the worst thing that ever happened to me.’

Clearly intent on avoiding that trouble, N. Gray kept her face and first name a secret when she collected her winnings.

Smart: Gray said that her life was 'comfy' before winning, now she can get rid of her debt

Smart: Gray said that her life was ‘comfy’ before winning, now she can get rid of her debt

A little fun: She also plans to make investments, take a cruise around the Caribbean, and help a sick relative and local charities, but won't quit her job

A little fun: She also plans to make investments, take a cruise around the Caribbean, and help a sick relative and local charities, but won’t quit her job

According to Supreme Ventures Ltd., a condition of their licence is to declare the winner, since it ensures ‘integrity and transparency’.

Gray, meanwhile, already has plans for the cash. Though she told Loop Jamaica that her life was ‘comfy’ before winning, now she can get rid of her debt.

‘I have loans at the bank and now I can clear them off. I can clear off my credit card and make some little changes; I can’t be unhappy,’ she said.

She also plans to make investments, take a cruise around the Caribbean, and help a sick relative and local charities. She doesn’t plan to quit her job.



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