In a shocking twist of fate, several lottery winners have found themselves not just back at square one, but utterly broke after their moment of glory turned into a series of catastrophic blunders. From misplaced tickets to criminal escapades, these stories highlight the perilous pitfalls of sudden wealth.

Take Martin and Kay from Britain, who won a staggering £3 million in 2001 but failed to check their ticket for six months. By the time they realized they were the mystery winners, it was too late—the lottery’s strict reporting rules meant they lost it all. Then there’s Mark Goodram and John Ross Watson, who stole a debit card to buy a ticket and hit a $5.8 million jackpot. Their elation quickly turned to despair when they were arrested for using stolen property, proving that crime doesn’t pay, especially when it leads back to jail.

Eric Oyongo and Salvatore Cambria, lottery buddies, tossed away a winning ticket worth $1 million, misreading the numbers and sending their dreams to a landfill. Meanwhile, Rachel and Liam lost out on $231 million over a mere $3 insufficient funds issue with their app. How could such monumental mistakes happen?

Amanda Clayton, who won $735,000, continued to fraudulently collect food stamps, only to be caught and face legal repercussions. In a more bizarre twist, Michaela Fields’ husband stole their winning ticket, resulting in shattered dreams of wealth and a tarnished reputation.

Finally, Ronnie Music Jr. squandered his $3 million win funding illegal activities, leading to a prison sentence rather than the luxury he sought. The tragic irony of these stories is undeniable—luck may have brought them riches, but their choices left them with nothing. As these cautionary tales unfold, they serve as a stark reminder: winning the lottery can be a curse as much as it is a blessing.