WASHINGTON — With gift giving, it may be the thought that counts, but it’s safe to say gifting your aunt $1 million dollars is a quick way to become the favorite nephew.
According to the Virginia Lottery, Miran Smith gifted his aunt, Geraldine Smith, a ticket in the Virginia’s New Year’s Millionaire Raffle that later ended up winning one of five $1 million top prizes.
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Miran Smith lives in Ashburn, where he purchased the ticket from the Schmitz Sunoco along Creek View Plaza. He later gave the ticket to his aunt, who lives in Emporia, Virginia.
On Jan. 1, Miran Smith called Geraldine Smith and asked her to check the ticket, when the winning numbers were announced.
“You’re a millionaire!” Miran Smith told his aunt, who replied, “For real?”
The pair have since decided to split the $1 million prize equally.
The winning ticket was one of five top prize-winning tickets in Virginia’s New Year’s Millionaire Raffle. The other winning tickets were purchased in Fishersville, Henrico, Herndon and Moneta. Additionally, seven other tickets won $100,000 each and another 1,000 tickets each won $500. Those numbers are posted on the Virginia Lottery’s website.
The Virginia New Year’s Millionaire Raffle is a computer-generated game where each player is given one ticket with a six-digit number ranging from 625000 to 000001 to win a prize through a random drawing. Each ticket cost $20.
Virginia Lottery rules say that the person whose signature on the back of a ticket is the owner and will be entitled to any prize resulting from the ticket. In order to claim the ticket, rules say the owner must be able to prove their identity and provide their taxpayer identification number, such as a social security number. All prizes greater than $100 will be paid at a Virginia Lottery office. Winners have 180 days to claim the prize or lose the $1 million.