A Canadian man is taking legal action against his ex, alleging she abandoned and “ghosted” him for a CA$5 million (US$3.6 million) lottery win and a new boyfriend. 

The plaintiff, Lawrence Campbell from Winnipeg, claims he purchased the winning ticket on January 19, 2024, but was informed by representatives at the Western Canada Lottery Corporation (WCLC) that he needed a government-issued ID to claim it. 

Due to his lack of one, WCLC officials proposed that his girlfriend at the time, Krystal Ann McKay, could accept the prize for him, as stated in the lawsuit. 

Campbell permitted McKay, with whom he shared a “faithful, dedicated and hopeful relationship,” to retain the $5 million in her bank account since he didn’t possess one of those either, according to the complaint. 

Romantic Disillusionment 

At first, all was well, as per Campbell – the joyful pair filmed a clip of themselves excitedly confirming the victory at a local Shoppers Drug Mart and started making arrangements. 

They also took joint lottery publicity photos with a large novelty check, although McKay looked strangely unsmiling in the pictures and videos. 

At that moment, the successful ticket was presented to the media as a birthday gift from Campbell to McKay. 

A few days later, McKay did not come back to the hotel where they both stayed. Campbell reached out to her friends and family to find out if they had any idea about her whereabouts. 

When that didn’t work out, he claims he searched for her in familiar places where she enjoyed partying because he was worried about her safety. Ultimately, he discovered her – in bed with another man, as stated in the lawsuit. 

McKay informed Campbell that she was departing from him for “the new guy” and then proceeded to block him on social platforms, avoiding his calls and ignoring his messages. She obtained a restraining order against him as well. 

Poor Guidance 

The legal action submitted to Manitoba's Court of King's Bench earlier this month identifies McKay, along with the WCLC and Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries, which oversees the lottery in the province. He alleges that officials provided him with poor guidance and failed to inform him of the inherent dangers associated with having McKay claim the prize.

"This case is about systemic karma vs. the system itself,” Chad Panting, Campbell’s lawyer, told CTV News. “A situation created or certainly enabled by the state-owned Lottery Corporations administering lotto claims in Manitoba.”

Krystal Ann McKay’s attorney, Conor Williamson, informed CTV News that his client contests the claims and is ready to submit a defense statement.