From Jackpot to Heartbreak: Man Sues Girlfriend Who Vanished After Collecting His $3.6M Lottery Winnings

June 2, 2025 — In a bizarre twist of fortune, a North Carolina man who believed he had finally turned his luck around after winning a $3.6 million lottery jackpot is now embroiled in a legal battle — not over the prize itself, but over love and betrayal. The man, whose name is being withheld for privacy reasons, is suing his now ex-girlfriend after she allegedly cashed in the ticket and disappeared without a trace.

According to court documents filed in Mecklenburg County, the man claims he purchased the winning scratch-off ticket earlier this year but asked his girlfriend, whom he had been dating for nearly two years, to claim the prize on his behalf due to personal and financial complications, including unpaid taxes and child support that he feared might reduce the payout.

Trusting her with the life-changing responsibility, he handed her the ticket under a verbal agreement that she would collect the winnings and share them equally. But what followed was a real-life soap opera. After cashing the ticket at the state lottery office, the woman reportedly moved out of their shared apartment, changed her phone number, deleted her social media accounts, and effectively “ghosted” him.

“I thought we were building a future together,” the plaintiff told local news station WCNC. “I never imagined she’d do something like this.”

The lawsuit alleges fraud, breach of contract, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Legal experts say the case will hinge on proving the existence of an agreement and whether the ticket can legally be considered a “joint asset” despite being claimed by one individual.

Under North Carolina law, lottery winnings legally belong to the person who signs and submits the ticket — regardless of who purchased it. However, if a verbal or implied contract can be established, the plaintiff may have a case for civil damages.

This story has sparked a wave of commentary on social media, with many debating the wisdom of mixing large sums of money with personal relationships. Lottery officials have declined to comment, citing ongoing litigation, but confirmed that the prize was paid in a lump sum to the woman earlier this spring.