Without legalized documents, an Algerian who won €250,000 on the Belgian scratch card cannot open a bank account to receive money (Photo: EVN). A scratch card bought in Belgium for 5 euros cannot redeem the lottery prize due to their migration situation.
The price is too high to be paid in cash; and the Algerian, in an irregular situation, has so far been unable to obtain the documents needed to open a bank account.
The scratchcard winner said he dreams of using the €250,000 to start a life in Belgium.
“When I have the money, I will buy an apartment in Brussels. And maybe a car,” the 28yearold, whose identity has not been released, told local newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws.
His lawyer Alexander Verstraete complains that without regular identification documents or a permanent address, he was unable to open the bank account required for the award.
“We’re looking for documents that prove his identity. We need to get in touch with his family in Algeria,” Verstraete told France Presse.
A spokesman for the lottery did not tell AFP what documents are required to award the prize.
One of the Algerian’s friends because he was in a regular migration situation tried to collect the prize on his behalf directly at the lottery’s headquarters in Brussels which is mandatory for any prize over 100,000 euros.
But he and two other men were eventually arrested by police overnight on suspicion of stealing the coveted scratch card. They were released after explaining the situation.
The scratch card is now in the custody of the Bruges city judiciary near the port of Zeebrugge where it was purchased.
Attorney Verstraete says authorities promised not to deport the winner until he received his money.
According to the Belgian press, the man left Algeria four months ago on a boat trip to Spain. He had walked from Spain to France before heading to Belgium.
His original goal was to emigrate to the UK, but now he intends to settle in Belgium and start a family.
“I’m looking for a woman,” he told Het Laatste Nieuws. “But I will not search with my money, but with my heart.”
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