PRC MAN CRACKS LOTTERY “PATTERN”, WINS MILLIONS TWICE — BUT HIS FORTUNE ENDS IN PRISON
A mainland Chinese man once hailed as a lottery miracle has become a cautionary tale about sudden wealth, gambling obsession and the dark side of overnight riches. Ma Hongping, a former security guard from Heilongjiang, stunned the nation after winning a major lottery prize twice in consecutive years — only to later lose everything and end up behind bars.
Ma’s story began far from glamour. Born in Mudanjiang, he spent most of his early life as a factory worker before being laid off during China’s industrial restructuring. In his mid-40s, with a family to support, he moved alone to Harbin and found work as a shopping mall security guard. Though the pay was modest, he was known as hardworking and reliable, eventually earning a promotion and a monthly salary considered decent at the time.
It was during the early 2000s lottery boom that Ma became drawn to ticket buying. What started as casual curiosity gradually turned into intense study. He tracked past numbers, analysed patterns and convinced himself there was a “method” behind the draws. Like many gamblers, small losses fuelled deeper commitment rather than restraint.
His obsession appeared to pay off in October 2003 when he struck the jackpot, winning five million yuan — roughly S$950,000. The windfall transformed his family’s financial situation overnight. Then, astonishingly, he repeated the feat in 2004, winning another five million yuan. In total, Ma had collected close to S$1.9 million, an almost unimaginable sum for someone of his background.
FROM NATIONAL SENSATION TO “LOTTERY GOD”
After the second win, Ma was dubbed a “lottery god” by locals. He moved his family to Beijing’s Haidian district and bought a property costing around two million yuan. At first, he continued working and donated generously, helping colleagues, friends and even strangers facing medical hardship. His reputation shifted from lucky winner to community benefactor.
But fame and praise proved dangerous. Convinced his success came from skill rather than chance, Ma quit his job and began living lavishly. High-end dining, socialising with wealthy circles and constant lottery betting soon became his new routine. When winnings failed to materialise, he refused to stop, believing a third jackpot was inevitable.
By 2006, his fortune had evaporated. Desperate to keep betting, Ma borrowed money from friends, fabricating stories about lucrative government projects. In reality, the funds were funnelled straight into lottery tickets. Eventually, more than S$200,000 worth of debts piled up.
THE PRICE OF GAMBLING ADDICTION
To shield his family, Ma divorced his wife and transferred properties to her and their child, taking full responsibility for the debts. However, creditors soon realised they had been deceived. After months of evasion, Ma was arrested and later sentenced to ten years in prison for fraud.
His downfall mirrors many global cases where sudden wealth leads to reckless financial decisions. From young European jackpot winners to Asian lottery millionaires, the pattern is familiar: lack of financial planning, unchecked gambling addiction and the illusion of guaranteed success.
Today, Ma’s story is frequently cited in discussions about lottery risks, gambling addiction treatment and personal finance management. While lottery dreams continue to attract hopeful buyers, his experience serves as a stark reminder that wealth without discipline can be more dangerous than poverty itself.
For many, the real lesson is clear: luck may open the door, but only self-control keeps it from slamming shut.