The world's biggest lottery winners - where are they now?
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The Infographics Show has collected a number of stories about lottery winners that will amaze and shock you.
Some are inspiring, while others will make you wonder about how people cope winning such large sums.
In one of the stories in this video, Wisconsin's Manuel Franco became one of the biggest lottery winners in American history.
He took home a staggering $768 million in 2019.
However, his newfound fortune also made him the target of an alarming number of scams, mirroring the pattern of fraudulent activities experienced by other lottery winners.
Franco, a former Target employee, fell victim to identity thieves who manipulated his identity to deceive others into handing over their personal information and money.
Reports have indicated that several victims lost thousands of dollars to these scams, believing they were receiving a generous share of Franco's winnings.
One victim explained, "I was sent a message saying I was to receive $50,000 from Manuel Franco. I was tricked into giving my driver’s license number and SSN. I fell for this, and I am really worried about what they might do.”
Another person described how he was first asked to send $200 to 'activate' his winnings, followed by a request for $3,000, supposedly for the IRS, to receive his share of $50,000.
The victim, pushed to desperation by the financial strain of the COVID-19 pandemic, regretfully complied with the demands.
Franco, only 24 at the time of his win, was a man of modest means. His initial financial goal was to save $1,000.
His life took a dramatic turn when he bought a lottery ticket from a Speedway gas station near Milwaukee.
He recalled feeling unusually lucky that day and was ecstatic when he won $4 from the initial numbers drawn.
As more of his numbers were called, he realized he'd hit the jackpot, leading to an outburst of joy that he admitted could have alarmed his neighbors.
Determined not to become another cautionary tale of lottery winners who lose it all, Franco planned to use his winnings sensibly.
He intended to take vacations and fund the education of his family members.
Despite his wish to remain anonymous, which is not permissible by law, Franco chose to face the media and then retreat from the public eye.
His lawyer advised him to complete the required media appearance and then lay low.
Following the media attention and the ensuing harassment, Franco was forced to relocate.
His story serves as a sobering reminder of the unexpected consequences of dangerous scams that could follow high-profile lottery wins.
Watch the video for all the details and more stories of intrigue…
