Josh Browne
A cohort of former Princeton University students have struck it rich, clinching millions in lottery winnings after finding out a way to 'beat the system'.
Collectively, these graduates secured an astounding 66 winning tickets spread across four states, amassing a total of over $6 million (around £4 million) in winnings.
Their success, however, appears to transcend mere good luck.
Speculation abounds that the group, consisting of Manuel Montori IV, Matthew Gibbons, Hannah Davinroy and Zoë Buonaiuto, may have employed a strategic approach to 'beat the system'.
The quartet tactically obtained thousands of tickets from various outlets spanning Indiana, Missouri, Washington and Columbia, and among their acquisitions, it was a single Hoosier Lottery ticket snagged by Montori in Missouri back in 2020 that obtained a whopping $5 million prize.
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As well as this, Montori also bagged a $100,000 winning ticket.
While some have raised eyebrows regarding the legality of their triumph, there's no evidence to suggest any unlawful activity on their part.
The enterprising group embarked on a massive ticket-buying spree across different regions, reportedly leaving store managers flabbergasted as they depleted supplies, spending thousands of dollars per visit.
Phillip Stark, Professor of Statistics at the University of California, remarked to Good Morning America: "They're either the luckiest people in the world or they found a way to beat the system."
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Notably, all four individuals are affiliated with Black Swan Capital LLC, a company founded by Montori, and experts speculate that they may have leveraged publicly available ticket data to enhance their odds of winning.
Their pursuit of winning tickets involved substantial financial investment, with reports indicating purchases totalling tens of thousands of dollars at various locations.
In Bloomington, Indiana, for instance, store managers recounted the group buying hundreds of tickets over multiple visits, purportedly for research purposes.
In Missouri, similar patterns emerged, with reports of two women spending around $8,000 in total across various stores on tickets.
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The group's activity has spurred debates on the feasibility of employing strategic tactics in lottery endeavours.
Despite their strategic approach, experts caution that the likelihood of winning remains uncertain, and extensive ticket purchases could result in heavy financial losses.
While the winners have opted to remain tight-lipped about their windfall, Buonaiuto hinted at future discussions, stating: "Call me back in a year. I'm happy to talk to you in a year... It’s exciting."