Lottery player thought email about an unexpected huge win was a scam. But it was real

After unknowingly earning entries into Michigan Lottery’s Big Cash Second Chance Jackpot giveaway, a 67-year-old man said he got an unexpected email.

“I saw an email from the Michigan Lottery saying I’d won a $416,322 second chance prize and I figured it was a scam email since I didn’t enter a giveaway,” the Kalamazoo County man recalled to lottery officials.

But this email was legit, according to a Nov. 13 news release from the Michigan Lottery. And fortunately for this lottery player, he called lottery officials to confirm the big win.

“When I called the Michigan Lottery, I realized I’d been earning entries without even knowing it,” the man said when claiming his jackpot prize. “I still can’t believe this is real. It is a crazy feeling to win such a large lottery prize!”

He won $416,322 after being randomly selected in the Oct. 11 Big Cash Second Chance Jackpot drawing, according to the release. Lottery players can earn entries into the giveaway by eligible games online.

The man plans to share his winnings with family and save, officials said.

Kalamazoo County is about 50 miles south of Grand Rapids.

This story was originally published November 13, 2023 at 7:35 AM with the headline "Lottery player thought email about an unexpected huge win was a scam. But it was real."