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After winning the largest lottery prize in Kerala, Anoop began receiving daily requests for money, moved with his family to a relative’s house, and said he hadn’t even received the amount yet
This case, which occurred in 2022, drew a lot of attention and continues to do so. Anoop, a driver from the state of Kerala, India, won 250 million rupees, about R$ 16.42 million, in the largest lottery prize ever offered in the region at the time. A week later, however, he released a video asking strangers to stop approaching his family for financial help.
Kerala lottery prize became a cause for concern
Anoop won the lottery in mid-September 2022 and quickly gained prominence in the country’s main media outlets. The news also increased his family’s exposure, leading to constant visits.
“I was very happy when I won,” said the driver in a video. However, according to him, the situation soon got out of control due to the number of people who began seeking him out.
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Anoop even stated that he would have preferred not to win the main prize. For the winner, receiving the third prize would have been better given the problems faced after the result was announced.
“I would have preferred not to win,” he says. “The third prize would have been better.“
Family left their own home to escape harassment
The driver stated that he could no longer leave the house or move around normally. He also reported difficulties in taking his sick child to the doctor due to the crowd of people in front of the residence.
Anoop and his family temporarily moved to a relative’s house to escape the exposure. He also said he is considering moving permanently if the harassment continues.
Winner has not yet received the money
Despite the requests for financial help, Anoop stated at the time that he had not yet received the Kerala lottery amount.
After paying the taxes owed to the government, he was expected to keep approximately R$ 9.93 million.
According to the driver, people showed up at his house daily, even after he repeatedly explained that the prize had not yet been deposited.
In light of the situation, the state government announced that it would organize financial management training. The program was intended to guide Anoop on how to manage and use the money received.
This article was prepared based on the information present in the provided material, with data, numbers, and statements preserved as per the consulted content.
