Uncle accused of keeping $2 million lottery prize meant for niece

A California woman has filed a lawsuit after alleging that her uncle kept a $2 million scratch-off lottery prize that she says rightfully belongs to her. According to N+Univision 14, Ruby Reyes, an undocumented immigrant living in California, purchased a $20 scratch-off ticket at a liquor store in Santa Rosa in late 2024. After scratching the ticket and revealing the required 12 words, she realized she had won the game's $2 million top prize.

Instead of claiming the jackpot herself, Reyes said she gave the ticket to her uncle because she feared appearing at a California Lottery office could put her at risk of deportation.

"I handed it over to an uncle because, supposedly, he had the (legal resident) paperwork and was going to give me the money," Reyes told the outlet.

Uncle allegedly kept the money

Lottery records reviewed by N+Univision 14 show Reyes' uncle claimed the prize and received a check for $1,52 million after applicable tax withholdings.

Reyes alleges she never received the money and has since filed legal action to recover the winnings. She said she has also contacted her uncle, asking him to reconsider and return what she believes is rightfully hers. Reyes stated:

It was a dream I had. I only thought about my future and that of my children. I am telling the truth, and nothing but the truth, and I have sufficient evidence to win this case.

The outlet did not identify Reyes' uncle by name, and details about the legal filing have not been made public.

Undocumented immigrants can legally claim lottery prizes

While Reyes said fear of deportation influenced her decision, undocumented immigrants are not prohibited from claiming lottery prizes in the United States.

Citizenship is generally not required to win a lottery prize. Instead, winners must present a valid winning ticket, satisfy identification requirements established by the lottery, and comply with applicable tax laws. Winners without Social Security numbers may face additional documentation requirements and different federal tax withholding rates, but they can still legally collect prizes.

The case serves as a reminder that handing a winning ticket to someone else can create significant legal complications if ownership is later disputed.

Similar disputes have happened before

This is not the first time a lottery winner has claimed someone else kept their prize.

In 2011, Jose Antonio Cua-Toc, an undocumented immigrant in Georgia, won a $750,000 scratch-off jackpot but asked his boss, Erick Cervantes, to claim it for him. After the money was not turned over, the dispute escalated into a criminal case when Cua-Toc was accused of threatening Cervantes and his family.

Although an immigration judge later ordered Cua-Toc to self-deport, a Georgia judge ruled that he was entitled to the lottery winnings before he left the country.

Cases like these often hinge on who possessed the winning ticket, what evidence exists showing the true owner, and whether there were any written agreements between the parties.

Protecting a winning ticket

Lottery officials generally recommend signing the back of a winning ticket immediately and keeping it in a secure location. Experts also advise making copies or photographs of both sides of the ticket and avoiding giving it to another person unless there is a clear legal agreement documenting the arrangement.

For players who have concerns about immigration status or other legal issues, attorneys familiar with lottery claims and immigration law can help explain the claim process before a winning ticket changes hands.

Reyes' lawsuit is ongoing, and it remains up to the courts to determine whether she can recover the money she says was always meant for her.

Enjoy playing the California Lottery, and please remember to play responsibly.