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Flamengo Shirt, Winning Ticket and a Million Dollars! Brazilian Resident in the United States Wins Million-Dollar Prize in Double Your Money Instant Lottery and Goes Viral on Social Media by Appearing with Flamengo Shirt
Imagine checking a common lottery ticket and discovering that it is worth US$ 1 million. This is exactly what happened to a Brazilian living in the United States, who suddenly became news after changing his life in an instant.
The incident occurred in July 2024, but continues to attract attention today for bringing together ingredients the public loves: luck, big money, immigration, and even soccer. The winner even appeared wearing a Flamengo shirt, which sparked comments and discussions among Brazilians both inside and outside the country.
Who is the Brazilian Who Won the Million-Dollar Prize
The lucky winner’s name is Frederico Sampaio, a Brazilian citizen residing in the city of Peabody, Massachusetts. He was the grand prize winner of US$ 1 million in a state instant lottery, known for offering quick winnings to those who hit the ticket.
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Frederico won the amount by playing the Double Your Money ticket, one of the most popular games of the Massachusetts Lottery, the official agency responsible for gambling in the state.
Why Did He Receive “Only” US$ 650 Thousand?
Despite the advertised prize being US$ 1 million, Frederico opted to receive the amount in a lump sum, which is quite common in the United States.
This choice reduced the total to around US$ 650 thousand, an amount that is net before mandatory federal taxes. Converting to the dollar exchange rate at the time, the sum amounted to approximately R$ 3.5 million.
According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), lottery prizes are considered taxable income in the United States, and withholding occurs at the initial payment.
The Detail That Got Noticed: The Flamengo Shirt
During the official announcement of the prize, Frederico was seen wearing a Flamengo shirt, which quickly went viral among Brazilians on social media.
The detail reinforced the winner’s identity as a Flamengo fan and created an immediate connection with the Brazilian audience, who tends to closely follow stories of compatriots winning abroad.
What Frederico Plans to Do with the Money
In an interview with the official Massachusetts Lottery website, Frederico Sampaio stated that he intends to use the money to benefit his family.
According to the institution itself, stories like this are common among foreign winners. In an official note, the state lottery highlights that “many winners see the prize as an opportunity to provide more security and quality of life to their families”.
The Agency That Sold the Ticket Also Earned Money
In addition to the winner, the lottery agency responsible for selling the winning ticket also benefited.
The establishment received a bonus of US$ 10 thousand, equivalent to about R$ 54.6 thousand, a standard practice adopted by various U.S. state lotteries as a way to encourage local businesses.
How Instant Lottery Works in the United States
Unlike large accumulated drawings, the instant lottery works simply: the player buys the ticket, scratches off or checks the code, and finds out immediately if they won.
Games like Double Your Money are quite popular for offering high prizes with affordable bets. Updated information on rules and probabilities can be found directly on the official Massachusetts Lottery website.
Why Stories Like This Continue to Go Viral
Cases like Frederico’s continue to spark interest because they mix:
- the dream of financial rise,
- immigration,
- cultural identification,
- and values that truly change lives.
Even months later, this type of content remains relevant, especially for those living outside Brazil or following opportunities in the United States.
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