A search is underway to trace a mystery lottery player in Richmond-upon-Thames who has won £1 million but is yet to claim their prize.
The National Lottery has revealed the winning ticket was purchased in the borough for the Lotto draw on Wednesday 19 August.
The ticket holder matched five main numbers and the Bonus Ball to scoop the seven-figure sum. The winning numbers for that draw were 4, 8, 10, 17, 23, and 28, with a Bonus Ball of 16.
Lottery operator Allwyn has urged anyone who bought a ticket in the area around that date to check their numbers immediately.
“Just imagine discovering that a ticket you bought weeks ago is worth seven figures,” said Toby Moxham, the head of winners’ services at Allwyn. “We’re calling on everyone who bought a ticket in the area for the 19 August draw to give it another check.”
Under National Lottery rules, the ticket holder has 180 days from the date of the draw to claim the sum, setting a final deadline of 15 February 2027.
However, players who believe they hold the winning ticket but have lost it face a much tighter timeline.
Written claims for lost tickets must be submitted to Allwyn within 30 days of the draw – making Friday 18 September the cut-off date.
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If no valid claim is made before the 180-day deadline expires, the prize money, along with all the interest generated, will be allocated to National Lottery-funded community and charitable projects across the UK.
“Someone in Richmond has hit the back of the net with their Lotto numbers and is sitting on a million pounds,” said Mr Moxham. “We believe we can find our missing winner, but we need the public to help us.”
Some 130 Lotto millionaires have been created so far this year, with seven people collecting six-figure winnings in the last week alone, according to data provided by the operator.
