Co-workers win $60 million lottery jackpot in Canada

A group of five co-workers has won a massive lottery jackpot in Canada.

The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation said in a news release that the five GTA residents won $60 million in the Jan. 21 Lotto Max draw.

That means they’re each taking home $12 million.

The winners are Mississauga residents Trang Pham and Suong Tran, Brampton resident Phong Phan, Toronto resident Thuc Le, and Zou Hsieh of Scarborough.

The OLG said that Pham, the group leader, suggested to her coworkers at a construction company that they buy a Lotto Max ticket just before the Lunar New Year — a time “traditionally associated with family, good fortune, health, and prosperity for the year ahead.”

“About a week before Lunar New Year, I was buying creamer for the office and thought I’d pick up a ticket for the group,” Pham said in the release.

And the next day, Pham saw that the winning ticket was bought in Etobicoke — which is where she purchased their ticket.

“I reviewed the numbers myself and saw that one of the lines matched exactly,” she said.

“I couldn’t believe it, so checked the ticket again, this time on the OLG app. When I saw $60 million on the screen, I was in total shock. I took a screenshot and sent it to the group chat right away.”

Handout / OLG

Tran, who was in the parking lot at work at the time, thought it was a joke at first, but said she soon “starting shaking and crying tears of joy” after talking to Pham on the phone and realizing it was real.

Phan was also about to start work.

“I couldn’t believe it. Then I did. I was so happy,” he said.

“It was hard to act normal that day,” he added.

Phan told the other two group members, Hsieh and Le, who weren’t in the group chat.

“Both were stunned and couldn’t eat or sleep for a couple of days after hearing the news,” the OLG said.

The winners are still planning what exactly they want to do with all of the money, but they have some ideas.

Pham said she wants to buy a home and share the win.

“Purchasing a home has been a dream of mine since my parents relocated to Canada. They made so many sacrifices for me, and now it’s my time to take care of them,” she said.

“I also plan to make some investments and tap into my inner philanthropist.”

Tran said she has “many causes that are special to me that I want to support” and plans to “calmly consider” options before making big decisions.

Phan wants to take time off work and travel, but said he’s too young to retire. He also wants to start his own business.

Hsieh, however, plans to retire right away.

“Last year, I was worried about retiring, but now I don’t have to,” he said.

“I want to start travelling the world and see it all.”

Le plans to buy a new car and also take care of family.

“The first thing I want to buy is a house for my mother,” Le said.

The winning ticket was purchased at a Giant Tiger on Kipling Avenue in Etobicoke.

The OLG presented the $60 million cheque to the group in a giant red envelope to honour how financial gifts are given during the Lunar New Year.

Meanwhile, the Tuesday, March 25 Lotto Max jackpot stands at $60 million and will also offer an estimated six $1 million maxmillion prizes.

Handout / OLG