Canadian Man Files Lawsuit Against Ex-Partner Over Stolen CA$5M Lottery Win

A man’s trust in his girlfriend backfired when she claimed his C$5 million lottery prize and vanished with another lover, leaving him heartbroken.

What happens when you entrust someone with a massive C$5 million windfall? For one Canadian, it led to disaster.

The man, who won the jackpot through the Western Canada Lottery Corporation (WCLC), couldn’t claim the prize himself and turned to his girlfriend for help.

Man’s C$5M Win Turns Sour as Girlfriend Flees with Cash

The incident traces back to early 2024 when Lawrence Campbell, a Winnipeg resident, purchased the winning ticket on January 19.

Unable to claim it due to lacking a government-issued ID, Campbell followed the WCLC’s suggestion, as per his lawsuit, to have his then-girlfriend, Krystal Ann McKay, step in on his behalf.

She successfully claimed the prize, but their relationship soon unraveled. With legal control of the jackpot, McKay’s affection for Campbell faded.

Campbell even allowed her to deposit the funds into her account, as he didn’t have one himself. Both attended the award ceremony, celebrating his win publicly.

Days later, McKay vanished, leaving Campbell at a hotel. Concerned for her well-being, he searched for her, only to discover she was with another man. She later confronted him, announced her departure with her new partner, and secured a protection order against him.

Legal Battle Ensues

Campbell’s lawsuit accuses McKay of misappropriating the funds and targets the WCLC and Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries for what he claims was poor advice.

Lotteries typically caution against others claiming prizes due to risks of fraud, making this advice unusual.

Whether Campbell’s case will prevail remains uncertain, but the public record of how the prize was handled offers him some legal footing.