Three lucky tickets were sold for the historic $1.6 billion Powerball drawing on Jan. 13, and after a second winner finally stepped forward to claim their prize, attention has shifted to the third and final winner.
According to the Daily Bulletin, the only winning ticket from January’s drawing that has yet to be claimed was purchased in Chino Hills, CA. Before taxes are subtracted and a payment structure is chosen, the ticket has a cash value of $528 million.
Shortly after the drawing, John and Lisa Robertson of Mumford, TN, cashed in their ticket amidst widespread fanfare. The couple went on a national media tour, carrying the ticket with them across the country before finally presenting it to the state lottery headquarters.
On Feb. 17, the second piece of the puzzle came together when Florida’s lucky winners claimed their prize. David Kaltschmidt and Maureen Smith purchased their winning ticket at a Melbourne grocery store, taking over a month to consult with financial experts before introducing themselves to the world.
Now, only one final winning ticket remains. It was purchased at a 7-Eleven in Chino Hills, where hundreds of locals gathered one day after the drawing to celebrate their town’s newfound celebrity status.
The Powerball annuity payout schedule consists of 30 annual payments that increase over time, but the Chino Hills winner will also have the option to receive a one-time lump sum payment of $327.8 million.
A frenzy surrounding the massive jackpot lasted for several days after the drawing before its winner were announced, which gave scammers an opportunity to dupe unsuspecting people online.
According to The Washington Post, dozens of people were claiming to have won the jackpot on social media just hours after the drawing. One man, Erik Bragg, posted a Photoshopped picture of himself holding a “winning” ticket.
Bragg, like many others, promised a portion of the jackpot to anyone who shared the post. Savvy internet users were quick to point out discrepancies in the fake images, and most of the scammers quickly deleted their misleading posts.
The real Chino Hills winner will have 180 days from the ticket’s purchase date to claim their prize. Considering they will soon have over $300 million to enjoy for the rest of their life, they likely are not in a hurry.
