Hong Kong authorities are investigating reports of a man who allegedly took to hiding after withholding a lottery jackpot from 13 of his colleagues after the 14-person group pooled their money together to purchase the ticket.
Local media outlet Sing Tao Headline reported that a health inspector with the surname Ling from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) had a fallout with his colleagues after being entrusted with the ticket’s purchase, subsequently pocketing all of the HK$31m (£2.9m) group winnings.
The dispute followed the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s (HKJC) HK$228 million Mark Six 50th Anniversary Snowball draw – one which had a record prize fund.
Sources close to the case told media that after claiming the prize, Ling handed in his notice immediately, ceasing all communication with the rest of the pool ticket winners.
He contacted them again three days later, demanding a share of HK$10m instead of the equal HK$2.2m split due to him allegedly choosing the winning ticket numbers.
After his co-workers rejected his proposal, Ling then reportedly told them that he will not surrender the full prize. This prompted the rest of the group to file a report with the police, worrying that he might disappear with the money.
The Sing Tao Headline added that FEHD has been informed about the investigation, and is fully cooperating with police authorities. No further details were provided due to the investigation still being active.
Similar disputes over joint lottery winnings have previously led to criminal convictions in Hong Kong. In 2007, a man ran off with HK$38,000 after purchasing a ticket on his and his friend’s behalf. An investigation then ensued, leading to the man being sentenced to six weeks of prison time.
Sing Tao Headline noted that in Hong Kong, even verbal agreements relating to lottery purchases and winnings are still treated as legally binding, with those who abuse the trust invested in them facing theft or fraud charges, with a maximum sentence of 10 years.