A lottery winner in Madrid was kidnapped and tortured by two former friends who tried to steal his €25,000 winnings, Spanish journalist Antonio Blanco revealed on the TV show En boca de todos. The victim, identified as Carlos, had won the prize in Spain’s traditional Christmas Lottery on December 22 of last year. Upon learning of his win, three of Carlos’s acquaintances—Rudolf, Javier, and Alberto—conspired to rob him.
The trio first coerced another friend, Leopoldo, to guide them to Carlos’s home after assaulting him. Once there, they forced Carlos and his friend Alejandro inside, tied them up, struck Carlos over the head with a heavy metal pan, and threatened them with a gun until Alejandro handed over online banking details to transfer the prize money.
The criminals also ordered Carlos to text his girlfriend to stay away, but when she went to check on him, she was threatened at gunpoint and her ID was demanded. They released her with a warning not to contact the police, claiming they would harm her and her family if she did.
Despite their intimidation, Carlos’s girlfriend promptly notified the authorities. Police arrived at Carlos’s home and arrested the three suspects before they could collect the winnings. The trio now faces three to six years in prison for assault and torture, according to El Español.
This case follows other lottery thefts in Europe, such as the October 2024 incident involving 62-year-old EuroMillions HotPicks winner Andros Kyriacou in Stanstead, whose prize ended up in a stranger’s bank account. The lottery operator, Allwyn, confirmed it is investigating the claim and working with banks to ensure rightful winners receive their prizes.
This shocking event highlights the risks lottery winners may face, even from people they once trusted.
