He scratched the ticket and got lucky: $ 270,000 prize. Still, he could not collect it.
A 28-year-old man from Algeria is facing increasing difficulties in claiming the money he won in this lottery in Belgium, in which he bought a ticket and scratched for prizes.
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Reason ?: His undocumented condition.
The gift was too large to be paid in cash and he did not have the documents required to open a bank account.
The winner does not know what to do to get his reward, he says he wants to use it to create a new life. Belgium.
“When I have the money, I buy a place to live in Brussels. Maybe a car. “ Told the Belgian newspaper Head Lotte News The man, whose identity has not been revealed.
Problems
According to the Belgian broadcaster VRT, the 28-year-old has no valid identity documents or permanent residence.
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Alexander Verstradt, the person’s lawyer, said the lottery company would not pay because he could not open a bank account.
“We are looking for documents that could prove his identity. He should contact his family in Algeria,” Verstrade told AFP.
A spokesman for the lottery did not specify what documents AFP needed to receive the prize.
One of the friends of the person holding the documents lined up and tried to win on his behalf.
They went to the lottery headquarters in Brussels, which is a necessary procedure for any prize above 100,000 euros.
However, the friend and two others who came with him were arrested on suspicion of stealing the victory card.
They were released after the winner explained the situation.
The victory card is now in the hands of the court in the city of Bruges.
Verstrade says authorities have promised not to deport the person until the prize money is available.
The winner was on a boat trip from Algeria to Spain four months ago, according to Belgian media. From there he crossed cattle to Spain and France and reached Belgium.
He said he wanted to move to the UK, but now he wants to stay in Belgium and hopes to start a family.
“I’m looking for a wife too,” he said Head Lotte News. “But I’m not going to find one in my money, but in my heart.”
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