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Lottery Winner Murdered: Tips For Staying Safe When Playing Powerball, Mega Millions, Or State Lottery Games

By Charisse Van Horn
Published on: 00:53 PST, Mar 29, 2016

News that seven suspects had been charged with the murder of Georgia lottery winner Craigory Burch Jr. back in November has left many wondering if playing and winning the lottery is a blessing or a curse. Craigory Burch Jr.’s story is hardly an isolated case either. The number of lottery winners who met with hardship, financial ruin, or became victimized by crime is staggering. In fact, many wonder if the current laws in states that require lottery winners to go public should be changed.

There are two popular lottery jackpot games played in the United States: Mega Millions and Powerball. Additionally, many states offer their own lottery games, which was the case with Craigory Burch Jr.’s win. Whether playing Powerball, Mega Millions, or state lottery games, you will need to take steps in order to stay safe. There is nothing that will guarantee your safety 100 percent, but by taking a proactive step, you might be able to successfully reduce the risk of becoming victimized should you suddenly come into a large fortune. There are also things we can learn from people who were victimized and made targets of crime following their lottery wins.

First, you must be careful who you tell. Past stories of lottery winners show that even those very close to the winner can turn and victimize someone whom they once claimed to love. Spouses, ex-partners, and even siblings have been known to radically change their behavior and begin plotting ways to claim a lottery winner’s fortune for himself or herself. The best step is to tell no one about the win and behave like nothing has happened. If you live in a state where you must go public, find out how long you have to make your claim and consider waiting a bit before making your claim. You can look into setting up a trust to claim your winnings as well. Some states only require names to be released and won’t share photos of the winner. In these states, setting up a trust can help conceal your identity.

If you have the choice between receiving a lump-sum payment or cash annuity spread over multiple years, choose the annual payout. This alone is one of the most proactive steps you can take to help protect your lottery winnings. Those who receive their payouts in a yearly bank deposit have the assurance they will not use all their winnings in a frivolous manner, and the amount they receive is reduced, making them a little less likely to be targeted by unscrupulous people. There is a possibility of danger when someone who has never experienced wealth suddenly becomes a millionaire. People who have never handled large sums of money or even paid taxes are now expected to become financial experts. It’s practically impossible for anyone to know how to make the right choices when presented with a foreign situation. All lottery winners should immediately speak to a tax attorney, financial planner, and lawyer with experience handling lottery wins.

Those who live in states where their identity will be made public should immediately assess the safety of their home. Putting in a home security system or even moving from a neighborhood where you are beginning to feel victimized, scrutinized, or targeted is not being overly cautious, but it might just save your life. It is also important to know who to trust. New people may enter your life under the guise of offering their services to help you manage your money. Never allow these people to have access to your financial information. If you have questions or need help with financial planning, use reputable, professional services.

By taking extra caution regarding who is in your life and learning how to handle your finances wisely, you can reduce the risk of becoming targeted for your lottery win.

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