These days, it’s widely recognized that the chances of winning the lottery are exceedingly slim. People often cite a statistic that suggests you’re more likely to be struck by lightning and meet an untimely demise than to select the winning ticket.
Considering the sheer number of potential combinations for a lottery ticket, the reality is that you’d need to purchase an extensive array of tickets to have a substantial shot at claiming the jackpot.
This is precisely what Stefan Mandel, a Romanian economist, undertook, assisted by investors and a syndicate known as the International Lotto Fund (ILF). Their collective efforts led to them winning a total of 14 lotteries across the globe.
In a YouTube interview, Mandel elaborated on their approach: “In theory, anyone can acquire all possible combinations. Any high school student can calculate those combinations. However, no one had ever devised a logistical system to process such a vast number of play slips. We were the sole victors, and that was the outcome.”
Ultimately, Mandel set his sights on a lottery in Virginia, where the rules permitted the selection of six numbers from a pool of one to 44, resulting in a more manageable total of 7,059,052 combinations. This proved to be a strategic advantage.
Interestingly, Virginia allowed individuals to purchase tickets and print them at home, significantly streamlining the process compared to purchasing tickets at a cashier, requiring only 30 computers for their operation.
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In February 1992, Mandel’s syndicate aimed for a $27 million jackpot. Because they had covered every possible ticket combination, they also secured $900,000 in additional prizes for tickets that matched second, third, fourth, and subsequent prize tiers.
Their success drew the attention of 14 international agencies, including the CIA and FBI, who conducted investigations. Remarkably, both Mandel and the ILF were absolved of any wrongdoing.
As for Mandel’s whereabouts today, according to The Hustle, he appears to be residing in a beachfront home on a secluded island off the coast of Australia, enjoying the fruits of his lottery triumphs.