Knife in the back: a Canadian migrant lost his lottery winnings after purchasing a ticket for his girlfriend (4 photos)

As a result, the man now has neither his winnings nor his girlfriend. The latter is manageable, but the ticket was worth 5 million Canadian dollars, and losing it was a real shame.





A story of love and trust, culminating in a legal drama, has shocked Canada. Winnipeg resident Lawrence Campbell claims his ex-girlfriend, Crystal Ann MacKay, stole his 5 million Canadian dollar Lotto 6/49 winnings. Now the man is suing not only her but also the organizers – Western Canada Lottery Corporation and Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries.



The couple had been dating since 2023 and, according to friends, were planning a wedding. In January 2024, Lawrence bought a ticket that turned out to be the winning one. But the lack of a passport and bank account prevented him from receiving the money in person. Lottery representatives suggested registering the prize money in the name of a trusted person, and the man without hesitation chose Crystal – the woman he lived with and whom he trusted completely.

At first, everything went smoothly: they appeared together at the check-delivery ceremony, smiled at reporters, and planned their future together.





However, shortly after the funds were transferred, Crystal disappeared. According to Campbell, she blocked him on social media and filed a restraining order against him, ostensibly out of fear for her life. The man soon learned that she had started a new life with another man.



Lawrence filed a lawsuit, claiming the ticket was purchased with his money, and that Crystal had only temporarily registered the winnings in her name on the advice of lottery officials. Her lawyers, however, argue that the ticket was a birthday gift and that she is the rightful owner of the prize. WCLC, for its part, insists that he personally signed a document declaring no claims.

Now the fate of the $5 million is being decided by a Manitoba court. Lawyers believe Campbell has a chance if he can prove he purchased the ticket and intended to collect the winnings personally. However, the lack of written agreements and the voluntary handover of the check make the outcome of the case extremely uncertain.

For Campbell, this is not just a fight for money, but also for justice: he claims he was the victim of betrayal, fueled by a systemic error on the part of the lottery authorities. "This story isn't just about money," he said in court. "It's about trust that was stabbed in the back."