Whoever bought the winning Powerball ticket from a Chino Hills, California, 7-Eleven remains a mystery, even to the store's owner.
Balbir Atwal, who made national news last week when the public learned that his store had sold one of the jackpot-winning tickets, said he has no idea who the winner is.
And he can't even look it up. Lottery officials seized the store's security camera footage and other materials that could contain clues about the winner's identity. California Lottery spokesman Russell Lopez said that's standard procedure when somebody wins a big prize.
"We have former cops and investigators on staff," Lopez said. "Its a real complete law enforcement investigation."
Like other types of law enforcement investigations, investigations do not to share materials with the public. Lopez said this is to avoid hoaxes.
Lopez added that investigators don't rely on surveillance camera footage to confirm a winner.
"It's supplemental," Lopez said. "We've seen photos that have been wrong in the past... we don't want to make that mistake again."
Though Atwal would like to know who the winner is as much as anyone else, he had no complaints Wednesday, Jan. 20.
In addition to receiving $1 million for selling one of three jackpot tickets, he said lottery sales at the store have gone up 70-80 percent.
On Wednesday, the store displayed a sign reading "millionaire made here," along with two prize-claiming forms on the doors reading "powerball winner... 528.8 million."
Atwal hopes his own luck will continue.
"This is just the beginning," he said.
They should just come forward and get it over with. The longer you wait the better the chance that something can happen to that ticket. I would not feel safe until it was validated and in my bank account. But if they are assembling a "team" it will take longer because that team wants to be sure their cut is all in place.
They might want to let a lot of time pass to avoid attention but at the same time that would create a lot of anxiety knowing that much money ($528 million) is sitting around not claimed. Even worse if it turned out that someone lost it, or never bothered to check it and never claimed it. Imagine never knowing you even had the winning ticket. But if you do know quit hiding you will be known eventually! Maybe they are going the scared route and getting loans to go into hiding, or maybe they are just rich since they are from CA and FL and are in no hurry. Maybe all of the above.
What happens to the money if it isn't claimed? Does it go back in the pot or is it kept by the lottery?
If the jackpot is not claimed in a multi-state game, the proceeds are sent back to the states in the same proportions of each state's sales that contributed money to the pot. Then each state has their own rules for what is done with unclaimed prize money within the state.
Interesting, thanks Todd!
http://www.flalottery.com/site/powerball-faq.do
"At the end of the winning state's claim period (180 days in Florida), the funds to pay a jackpot that goes unclaimed will be returned to the lottery members in their proportion of sales for the jackpot rollover series. In Florida, 80 percent of all unclaimed jackpot prizes are transferred to the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund to benefit education in the state. All funds for unclaimed POWERBALL non-jackpot prizes stay in the state where the winning tickets were sold."
Some states give a portion to different organizations and schools etc, and put some of it back into other games.
Standard procedure? I dont think I have heard that before in any of the lottery wins. That is a concern for me and maybe those who want to protect themselves. If the winner doesnt come forward for several months will they pull that tape looking for that person and therefore outs them before they are ready? That was done once in California when they couldnt locate a winner. The tape came out with "if you recognize this person......". Dont know the results of that particular win.
Isn't that the guy who won $1m on the Powerball and then went to Vietnam or something for like 6 months then came back a few days before it expired and then couldn't find the ticket....
May the people who purchase the winning ticket in California are get their affairs in order. Like a change of address within a week, after they claim the money.
The footage could also help remind or let those know they bought the ticket. But I don't know how anyone buys a ticket for a jackpot that big and does not keep track of it. But many are first time or casual players and sometimes forget they even bought it.
"Seized surveillance video?" Welcome to the USSA
I hope that the winner does not live in Chino Hills,CA. Then his/her family members, friends, would have no suspicion that he/she is the winner. His/her name and Chino Hills will be released to the public when he/she validates the ticket at one of the many District Lottery Offices in California.
Since the winner can make plans of what to do when he/she collects on the debt that California now owes him/her. That the California Lottery owes him/her. The winner could increase his/her security now.
I would need either a psychologist or psychiatrist to help me handle the stress of this life changing event.
Nothing creepy about this...
Winner! You have a target on your back. You are on the list of international crime syndicates. But, the good news is you are wealthy enough to defend yourself. Security companies abound and are all over the globe.
Why the rush by the Lottery Organizations? Publicity and money. The LOVE of money is the root of many evils.
Why is Flint, Michigan in the news? Money.
Let's say that the Lottery officials didn't seize the camera video tape of that person who won that Powerball game. Would that tape be there for Lottery officials to pick up one year from now? I don't think so, gone forever. Smart move by Lottery officials.
I like the way you think, claiming prizes "point break style".
Perhaps the California lottery should be in charge of finding the FBI's most wanted?
You still have to have that ticket to cash it in.
i dont recall the whole story just that they pulled the video that showed the person buying and then asked others to help identify him. It is a double edged sword, yes remind or help the buyer but also exposes the person if they wanted to be as anonymous as possible. Cant imagine if I had purchased a ticket I would forget but stranger things have happened. If that had been me, nobody would have to remind me to check my ticket.
Our "LP jackpot collecting experts", when giving their advice forgot to mention the player with the ticket could simply call lottery headquarters. But then there would be no drama,
This is what is written in the CA lottery FAQ section...
**** How long do players have to claim prizes?
Players have 180 days from the date of the POWERBALL® draw to claim prizes, other than the jackpot. The jackpot can be claimed for up to a year from the date of the POWERBALL® draw.
Its only been 7 days, that's right. Seven days and already we reading " surveillance footage seized ".. just what in the world is going on up there in Sacramento? Whatever happened to abiding by your own rules?
Seizing seems a little extreme, why not just ask for the tape politely and make a copy? And they wonder why people don't trust the government. Seeing as this was the biggest jackpot in history I highly doubt anyone was careless or forgot to check their tickets, they are obviously doing the right thing unlike the other idiots that ran to come forward the next day so right off the bat I have much higher hopes for their future.
What if they found out they won and had a heart attack? I sure might have, at that point you assumed you were the only winner. ...... or maybe they're just taking their time ..... goodness it's only been like a week.
"Lottery officials seized the store's security camera footage and other materials that could contain clues about the winner's identity. California Lottery spokesman Russell Lopez said that's standard procedure when somebody wins a big prize."
Does anyone here know if that's standard procedure in all the states, or just California?
" Lottery officials seized the store's security camera footage and other materials that could contain clues about the winner's identity. "
l could understand that move IF 300 days had passed and the lottery desperately wanted the winner to come forward ... but 7 days after the spin? Is it not a course of wisdom to interview a number of tax attorneys, estate planners etc etc before coming forward when the winner is ready as ready gets? Is the winner supposed to have the planning done by this past weekend? Russell better come up with a better answer than this " standard procedure " line of his.
This is big bucks. Cali wants that tax $$$. The winner don't know it but their being hunted.
This is just another example of a reporter who's clueless and/or trying to add a bunch of hype to a meaningless story about a perfectly routine administrative process. Saying the video was "seized" is like having a lawyer tell a jury that you "slammed" into his client's car after you backed into it at 2mph while parking. An accurate description would almost certainly say that somebody from the lottery arrived and politely asked for the video, and the owner, who was expecting them and knew why they were there, happily handed it to them.
Is there anybody here who doesn't think that this is all spelled out clearly in the retailer's agreement that allows them to sell lottery tickets?
The only thing about this story that should be at all surprising is that the story has come out a week after the drawing, suggesting that there's a possibility the lottery didn't pick it up last Thursday.
CA does not tax lottery winnings. There is a State tax, but lottery winnings are exempt from taxation.
I think I would take 3-5 months before contacting the lottery office. That time would be used to shop for legal direction and give me time to adjust to this sudden wealth.
I don't much like the wording "seized". That just is an uncomfortable word to me.
9 times out of 10 if they R smart they're holding off and getting a team together to come forward and claim it in a trust...
Also--what is the video about? A lottery ticket is a bearer instrument. Doesn't matter who bought it. Who signs it and turns it in is what matters.
I think it's a good thing, there is no limit to what some will do to get the identity of a winner.
If you want to stay hidden wear a cap and don't look up when you are buying the tickets.
Also don't park near the front of the store, as cameras can record your car and license plate.
Know where the security cameras are located before hand. Buy your tickets at a place where
your not a regular customer etc... Even if you don't mind others knowing who you are, this at
least can give you some time to sort things out before letting everyone else know.
RL
What are the odds the winner doesn't want someone to see his face. May have a warrant out for them, in a divorce case. There are a lot more reasons.
US state lotteries should offer player registration cards, so players have a choice. They can use a card when they purchase a ticket, if they wish.
TWO TICKETS OUT!!!
Where are they? All the hype for the Billion Dollars and two tickets are still out? I didn't hear about the second party claiming, so I could be wrong?
But with my suspicious mind if no one comes forth for those winning tickets I think it would be fraud involved. But on the other hand, experts said to take your time and get advice and set up a situation so you and your money will be safe. Maybe these winners are the smart ones?
The saga continutes...................
I think also media outlets may pay a good price to get that video, and the Ca lottery may not want the images out before , or at all. they get a winner claim their prize.
The PDR California wants to seize everything
In Sweden you must use players card when you play in stores. If you loose your winning ticket the lottery will deposit the winnings on your predefined bank account.
I'm surprised they took a week. A store owner told me they show up the next day, take the tape, and then put up banners saying the store sold the winning ticket. Must be because so many people were coming to the store to congratulate the owner and buy more tickets, the lottery decided to wait.
I heard maybe it was a Canadian truck driver but not sure because thats the rimor going around.
Maybe they are just thinking of what m to do before coming forward.
Who knows!
we shall see!
I'm so glad they took the tape, because before you knew it, some employee would have had it posted all over Youtube and Facebook. It's not just the winner who is at risk, so are their family and anyone else related. After, the 900 million...I was too paranoid to even play the Powerball or Mega Millions.
Too doggone funny, man.
"Either a Nixon mask", yeah, Good old "Well, I'm not a crook".
Or, a gorilla suit. Yeah, that'll do it. Cuz they say Big Foot, the hoax was really just Elvis in a gorilla suit.
Thank you for that bit of comedy, though in reality, it's really not a bad idea.
(groppo, you're too much.
sit groppo, sit, good boy)
Didnt the FBI and CIA "seize" all the videos after the missile hit the Pentagon??
.
Yes, but so what? They can just get alternative names for everybody, like you see them do on TV.
No, on 2nd thought, that too wouldn't be such a hot idea.
Imagine the new, rich family at the beach, in LA:
"But Mommy, why do I have to be called Gertrude?"
Mom: Well, you can trade names with your brother, Samantha, if you want.
(groppo, please, we don't want to have to confine you, again)
Not that this is happening BUT did you ever think that the person who won decided to throw the ticket away and forget about it. It is said that Jack Whittaker, the morning he realized he won, his wife told him to throw the ticket away because they had everything they needed in life.
Hence years later, he lost his company, settled hundreds of lawsuits filed against him, his grand daughter is dead, her boyfriend is dead, his wife left him, he has no friends, and he had become for a while a drinking cheating husband that lost the respect of his community who now says he wishes he listened to his wife.
Just saying you never know.
hmmh? I find something not right with this! They, the lottery commission, stated that they would no longer look for the person if they do not come forward. Since that's the case, why "seize" the footage? If the draw is random, then how do they know exactly what time the ticket was sold? Interesting indeed.
All the Tickets printed have the time purchased on them. I think it in military time.
It is likely not the proper word to use in this case. The California Lottery doesn't have police powers, they do have contracts with their retailers and those contracts state that retailers must:
Provide any information requested by the Lottery, such as information about equipment, service, accessibility, records, payment, or any other information immediately upon request.
It is likely that "information" could include video recordings. However, a contract doesn't permit seizure, if a retailer declined to provide the requested information the lottery could cancel their contract and take the retailer to court to force compliance with the terms.
This is more likely a case of them showing up and saying "Give us the video from date and time the winning ticket was sold" and it was handed over to them. No skin off the retailer's nose and he just got $1M for selling the winning tickets so is hardly going to be upset or bothered.
The obvious reason for getting it now is that retailers don't tend to keep months of recordings and the requested information would have been overwritten at some point.
While the drawing is random, every ticket sold is logged in a database with a lot of information, including where it was sold and the date and time.
With hundreds of millions at stake it is possible that a dispute over ownership of the ticket could ensue and video of who actually purchased the ticket could be important. If someone who differed from the purchaser showed up there would likely be questions as to how that person came to possess the ticket before they would pay out the winnings.
Given the recent events in Iowa it is probably more important than ever to find out who bought a big winner and who the winnings are going to.
I LIKE THIS IDEA
Every bill in your wallet is a bearer instrument, too. Do you think if you drop a 20 on the ground it belongs to me if I pick it up before you do?
That is exactly right!!! And issued gag orders on air traffic controllers Some of whom meant some very unfortunate "accidental" deaths
This sounds fishy and like an overreach of government power. It's been a week. There is no need to start seizing property.
Could be possible. Somebody could just decide that they don't want it.
so even if the person (s) havent claimed, the store still gets their bonus sale? 1 million? upfront
but if no one claims , money reverts back to all states ...
seems a store wins no matter what.
I agree with RL. Save the speculation, deal with rational logic.
That's great advice upthread about going to different stores to buy tickets wearing a hat not parking in the front etc.
I know who the winner is she was recently in Miami over the weekend partying with friends
Wouldn't it be tempting with such information, that if the winner chose not to come forward right away, for them to
submit to the public eye a photo of the winner buying their ticket? Or announce: Do you know this individual?
Why give any time to claim then? If they use the excuse they are trying to locate the winner because they may have discarded
their ticket or may not know they won, I'd only take that as being forced to surface.
That is a LOT of money. Sometimes things happen to people with a lot of money. The winner in CA doesn't even have control
over their own winnings and remaining anonymous - they are being no better than investigated and I don't care what rights
the lottery has, they are taking some away from the winner by seizing the tapes.
I certainly would not want to be identified, I'd like to do that at my own pace since the rules state exactly how much time I
have to claim my prize and decide how I want it to be paid to me.
A historic jackpot amount should not strip winners of their rights and choices.
Do you open carry?
I would have my lawyer call the lottery commission and make clear that the winning ticket is in his clients possession and he intends to claim at a later date.
Sure you do, and we're all very impressed.