Police amp up security around Powerball winner’s property

Police in Chicopee, Massachusetts have sent a team of security officials to monitor the home of the lucky $758.7 million Powerball winner, Mavis Wanczyk.

Chicopee police spokesman Michael Wilk said in a statement Tuesday the department received reports of instances involving people knocking on doors around the neighborhood ‘asking where (Wanczyk) lives.’

Authorities also issued a warning regarding social media scammers impersonating Wanczyk in careful attempts to steal her identity or collect cash prizes.

‘We are well aware of many fake accounts being created on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram stating they are Mavis Wanczyk and that following and answering private messages will result in you getting money,’ the police statement said.

‘PLEASE do not fall for these scams. DO NOT give out any personal infor­mation to these accounts. Do not fall victim to a scammer by releasing ANY of your information. If you see these accounts, report them as fake on those media platforms.’ 

Chicopee police spokesman Michael Wilk said in a statement Tuesday the department received reports of instances involving people knocking on doors around the neighborhood ‘asking where (Wanczyk) lives’

Officers are keeping a close eye out and are stationed in her driveway, as media members and other individuals have gravitated to the neighborhood 

Mass. officials said the prize is the largest single-ticket Powerball prize in U.S. history

Owner of Pride Station where the prize was given out, Bob Bolduc, said Wanczyk bought the ticket Wednesday afternoon on his clock

Wanczyk raked in the ‘biggest undivided lottery jackpot in U.S. history’ in a check she was given Thursday at a conference in Braintree, Massachusetts. 

Wanczyk, who has been employed at the Mercy Medical Center for 32 years, told reporters in a news conference she was escorted home last week by a Chicopee firefighter after receiving her prize.

‘I’m scared, but I’ll be OK,’ she said after receiving her check. ‘I just want to be me and just be alone and figure out what I want to do,’ she added. ‘I couldn’t drive anywhere, I couldn’t do anything.’

Wanczyk, a single mother-of-two, said the winning numbers were inspired by her family’s birthdays and she never expected them to make her a multi-millionaire.

Wanczyk since quit her longtime job and said she looks forward to finally getting the opportunity to relax. 

‘This is a great thing,’ Wilk said Friday of the hardworking prize winner’s luck. ‘We want her to know we’re there if she needs us.’ 

Mavis Wanczyk, of Chicopee, Mass., smiles during a news conference where she claimed the $758.7 million Powerball prize

Wanczyk stands by a poster of her winnings during a news conference where she claimed the $758.7 million Powerball prize 

 ‘This is a great thing,’ Wilk said Friday of the hardworking prize winner’s luck. ‘We want her to know we’re there if she needs us’

Mavis Wanczyk, right, of Chicopee, Mass., laughs beside state treasurer Deb Goldberg during the news conference

Officers are keeping a close eye out and are stationed in her driveway, as media members and other individuals have gravitated in the neighborhood. 

Officers alerted neighbors to report to them if they see suspicious activity. 

‘Besides media, there have been people knocking on doors, asking people where she lives. We’re not going to tolerate her being harassed or bothered,’ Wilk said.

Lottery officials said Wanczyk chose the option to take a lump sum payment of $480 million, or $336 million after taxes.

Owner of Pride Station where the prize was given out, Bob Bolduc, said Wanczyk bought the ticket Wednesday afternoon on his clock.

Bolduc told reporters he plans to donate the $50,000 commission he’ll receive for selling a jackpot winner, to local education and childhood-funded charities.

The lucky winner reportedly went lost her ex-husband, William Wanczyk, 55, last year after he was killed in a hit-and-run incident at a bus shelter, according to MassLive.com. The pair divorced in 2015.

Peter Sheremeta, 20, of Belchertown, was later arrested and charged with manslaughter, motor vehicle homicide, drunken driving and other charges.

Daughter of the couple, Marlee Wanczyk, told The Republican newspaper at the time of Sheremeta’s arraignment that her father was a ‘wise-cracker’ who enjoyed playing practical jokes.