Lottery Winner Fights for Five Years to Claim $6.5 million Prize
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In a gripping tale of perseverance and justice, a man from Xi’an City, Shaanxi Province, China, has finally reclaimed his rightful $6.5 million lottery prize after a grueling five-year legal battle.Yao Nan, a water deliveryman, won the grand prize in 2019, only to have it fraudulently claimed by the cousin of the lottery shop owner. after years of litigation, the Xi’an Intermediate People’s Court ruled in his favor, affirming that the winning ticket belonged to Yao Nan.
The Initial Win and the Fraudulent Claim
On July 17, 2019, Yao nan purchased two Sports Lottery tickets from a shop in Huyi District, Xi’an City. The shop owner, Mr. wang, took photos of the tickets and sent them to Yao Nan for confirmation.That evening, one of the tickets won a staggering 10.01 million yuan (approximately $6.5 million). Excited, Yao Nan rushed to the shop to collect his winnings, only to be told that the winning ticket belonged to someone else due to a mix-up.
Initially, Yao nan and Mr. wang reached a private agreement, with Mr. Wang offering 150,000 yuan (about $22,000) as compensation.However, Yao Nan later discovered that the prize had been claimed by Mr. Wang’s cousin,Gao,who had falsely claimed ownership of the ticket.
The Legal Battle Begins
In September 2019, yao Nan enlisted the help of lawyer Yu Shengxiu from Shaanxi Benlong Law Firm to sue mr.Wang, his cousin Gao, and others. The case dragged on for years, with the Xi’an Intermediate People’s Court finally ruling in Yao Nan’s favor on October 28, 2021. The court confirmed that the winning ticket belonged to Yao Nan, paving the way for him to pursue the return of his prize money.
Yao Nan then filed a lawsuit against Mr. Wang, his wife, cousin Gao, and the Shaanxi provincial Sports Lottery Management Center, demanding the return of his winnings. After a lengthy legal process,the Huyi District People’s Court awarded the prize to Yao Nan in March 2024. Gao appealed, but the Xi’an Intermediate People’s Court upheld the original judgment on July 30, 2024, marking the end of the legal battle.
A Bittersweet Victory
In an interview with local media, Yao Nan reflected on the toll the legal battle had taken on his life. “Without this lottery ticket, my life would definitely be better than it is now,” he lamented. “The past few years have made me very haggard and embarrassed. after seven court sessions over five years, sometimes I fell asleep in bed and sat up by myself.”
Yao Nan, who had been working as a water deliveryman for nearly a decade, expressed how the ordeal had affected his health and well-being. “In the past few years, one lawsuit after another has made me so tired that my blood pressure and blood sugar have become high,” he said. He also noted that he had no gray hair in 2019 but now has a head full of white hair.
Despite the challenges, Yao Nan’s determination to reclaim what was rightfully his serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of justice and perseverance. His story is a testament to the lengths one can go to in the pursuit of fairness, even in the face of overwhelming odds.
Key dates in Yao nan’s Legal Battle
- July 17, 2019: yao Nan wins 10.01 million yuan in the lottery.
- September 2019: Yao nan discovers the prize was fraudulently claimed and sues.
- October 28, 2021: Xi’an Intermediate People’s Court rules in Yao Nan’s favor.
- March 15, 2024: Huyi District people’s Court awards the prize to Yao Nan.
- July 30, 2024: Xi’an Intermediate People’s Court upholds the original judgment, ending the legal battle.
Yao nan’s journey is not just a story of a lottery win but a powerful narrative of resilience and the fight for justice. As he moves forward, his experience serves as an inspiration to others facing similar challenges.
E agreement, with Mr. Wang offering 150,000 yuan (about $22,000) as compensation. However, Yao Nan later discovered that the prize had been claimed by Mr. Wang’s cousin, Gao, who had falsely claimed ownership of the ticket.
The Legal Battle Begins
in September 2019, Yao Nan enlisted the help of lawyer Yu Shengxiu from Shaanxi Benlong Law Firm to sue Mr. Wang, his cousin Gao, and others. The case dragged on for years, with the Xi’an Intermediate People’s Court finally ruling in Yao Nan’s favor on October 28, 2021. the court confirmed that the winning ticket belonged to Yao Nan, paving the way for him to pursue the return of his prize money.
Yao Nan then filed a lawsuit against Mr. Wang, his wife, cousin Gao, and the Shaanxi provincial Sports Lottery Management Center, demanding the return of his winnings. After a lengthy legal process, the Huyi District People’s Court awarded the prize to Yao Nan in March 2024. Gao appealed, but the Xi’an intermediate People’s Court upheld the original judgment on July 30, 2024, marking the end of the legal battle.
A Bittersweet Victory
In an interview with local media, Yao Nan reflected on the toll the legal battle had taken on his life. “Without this lottery ticket, my life would definitely be better then it is now,” he lamented. “The past few years have made me very haggard and embarrassed.After seven court sessions over five years, sometimes I fell asleep in bed and sat up by myself.”
Yao Nan, who had been working as a water deliveryman for nearly a decade, expressed how the ordeal had affected his health and well-being. “In the past few years, one lawsuit after another has made me so tired that my blood pressure and blood sugar have become high,” he said. He also noted that he had no gray hair in 2019 but now has a head full of white hair.
Despite the challenges, Yao Nan’s determination to reclaim what was rightfully his serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of justice and perseverance. His story is a testament to the lengths one can go to in the pursuit of fairness, even in the face of overwhelming odds.
Key Dates in Yao Nan’s Legal Battle
- July 17, 2019: Yao Nan wins 10.01 million yuan in the lottery.
- September 2019: yao Nan discovers the prize was fraudulently claimed and sues.
- October 28, 2021: Xi’an Intermediate People’s Court rules in Yao Nan’s favor.
- March 15, 2024: Huyi District People’s Court awards the prize to Yao Nan.
- July 30, 2024: Xi’an Intermediate People’s court upholds the original judgment, ending the legal battle.
Yao Nan’s journey is not just a story of a lottery win but a powerful narrative of resilience and the fight for justice.As he moves forward, his experience serves as an inspiration to others facing similar challenges.
Interview with Legal Expert on Lottery Fraud Cases
to delve deeper into the legal intricacies of Yao nan’s case, we spoke with Dr. Li Ming, a renowned legal scholar specializing in civil disputes and lottery fraud cases. Dr. Li provides valuable insights into the challenges faced by lottery winners and the importance of legal recourse in such situations.
The Initial win and the Fraudulent Claim
Senior Editor: Dr. Li, Yao Nan’s case is a captivating example of how a simple lottery win can turn into a complex legal battle. can you explain how the fraudulent claim on his winnings occurred?
Dr. Li: Certainly. In this case, the shop owner, Mr. Wang, took photos of the tickets and sent them to Yao Nan for confirmation. However, when the ticket won, Mr. Wang’s cousin, Gao, falsely claimed ownership. This is a common tactic in lottery fraud cases, where the shop owner or an associate attempts to claim the prize by manipulating evidence or creating false documentation.
The Legal Battle Begins
senior Editor: Yao Nan’s legal battle lasted for five years. What were some of the key challenges he faced during this time?
Dr.Li: the primary challenge was proving ownership of the ticket. Lottery tickets are bearer instruments,meaning whoever possesses the ticket can claim the prize. Yao Nan had to rely on the photos and other evidence to demonstrate that he was the rightful owner. Additionally, the involvement of multiple parties, including the shop owner, his cousin, and the lottery management center, added complexity to the case.
A Bittersweet Victory
Senior Editor: Despite the victory,Yao Nan’s life has been considerably impacted by this ordeal. What lessons can we draw from his experience?
Dr.Li: Yao Nan’s case highlights the importance of legal recourse in cases of lottery fraud. It also underscores the need for stronger regulations to prevent such fraudulent claims.Lottery winners should be aware of their rights and the steps they need to take to protect themselves from such situations.
Key Dates in Yao Nan’s Legal Battle
Senior Editor: Can you summarize the key milestones in Yao Nan’s legal journey?
Dr.Li: Certainly. The key dates include Yao nan winning the lottery in July 2019, filing the lawsuit in September 2019, the initial ruling in his favor in October 2021, the final award in March 2024, and the final appeal ruling in July 2024. These milestones illustrate the long and arduous process of reclaiming what is rightfully his.
Senior Editor: Thank you,Dr. Li, for your insightful commentary on Yao Nan’s case.Your expertise provides valuable context to this remarkable story of perseverance and justice.
Dr. Li: It was my pleasure. yao nan’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of standing up for one’s rights, even in the face of important challenges.
