It’s a case of good fortune you sure don’t see every day - a lottery winner who lost their winning prize ticket hours after winning a $50,000 jackpot has had their ticket returned.
John Holder from Columbia, Tennessee in the US was ecstatic to find he had won a $50,000 jackpot, until his winning scratchcard was stolen by a stranger riding in the back seat of his truck.
Holder had bought the $50,000 winning ticket at a petrol station about two weeks ago. After realising he’d won, he signed the back of the scratchcard and made a copy which was posted at the station.
But much to his horror, the original winning ticket disappeared from the back of his truck on the way home.
The dream of cashing in on a $50,000 prize wasn’t looking likely to turn to reality as anticipated by the 45-year-old.
But on Thursday, the winning scratchcard was mailed to the Tennessee Lottery office, with the words: “Lost and found”.
The envelope did not have a return mail address, but it was postmarked from Nashville.
Mr Holder said: “I’m speechless.
“It’s good to know someone had a conscience and decided to give this back to me.
“I figured the ticket was gone. I figured it was burned, destroyed, torn up, something. I mean, if I had stolen a $50,000 ticket, that’s what I would have done with it. I’m not going to go give it back to the person I stole it from.
“All I can say is thank you. They didn’t destroy it, so no hard feelings.”
After verifying the signature and Mr Holder’s identification, the winning ticket was validated. Lottery officials then awarded him his $50,000 prize.
Holder is planning to use the prize money to pay off his debts and help his daughters.
Rebecca Hargrove, President and CEO of the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation, said: “Thankfully, Mr. Holder followed the recommendation from the store clerk where the ticket was purchased and signed it on the back.
“We’re delighted this all worked out, and it’s a great lesson for all our winners. Always sign your ticket.”
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