IMMIGRATION STATUS PREVENTED NIGERIAN LOTTERY WINNER FROM COLLECTING PRIZE MONEY

ANCONA, JUNE 13 /SRNA/ - Nigerian citizen Imagbe Ehizomvengi /36/ in Italy won EUR 500,000 on an instant scratch ticket, but he could not collect the money due to his irregular immigration status, so he was granted a residence permit, and thus access to the prize.

The Nigerian bought the ticket for five euros with money he earned from selling tissues and begging in front of a supermarket.

He could not collect the money because he had no documents or a bank account.

Ehizomvengi told "The Guardian" that the difficulties of his more than decade-long immigration status were eased after he finally received a residence permit.

"I have been praying for this moment since I arrived in Italy. It is a huge relief. You may think it is unbelievable, but getting the permit means more to me than winning the money. I want to work and contribute to society," he said.

According to Italian media reports, part of the money he won was meanwhile entrusted to an acquaintance, which led to disputes over the management of the funds and part of the amount was later transferred to members of his family.

Scratch cards are extremely popular in Italy.

An unemployed fisherman in Apulia found a EUR 100,000 scratch card in a trash bin in 2019 and managed to cash it, while in 2022 a young man in northern Italy won EUR 500,000.