An almost-too-good-to-be-true story has been making headlines in recent weeks: a young man from Algeria trying to cross the Channel to get to the United Kingdom won the lottery in Belgium.
However, as the man disappeared without a trace – and without collecting his prize money – it briefly seemed like the story would be too good to be true after all.
No one heard or saw him for nearly two weeks, and as the National Lottery only had camera footage from the shop where he bought his scratchcard and a picture of the man taken by the local priest to identify him, there was no way to reach him.
But earlier this week, the man suddenly turned up at the police station, accompanied by a lawyer and looking for a way to finally get his prize.
This will likely take a little while, however, as the man has no residence permit in Belgium and can therefore not open a bank account. His lawyer and the National Lottery are now looking for a way to sort out the administrative issues.
Speaking to Belgian media, the man said that he already knows what he will do once he gets his winnings. "I am going to buy a place to live in Brussels, and maybe a car. And I will also look for a wife. Still, I am not going to find one with my money, but with my heart."
Have you ever been so lucky you couldn't believe it? Let @Maajtee know.
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