A senior citizen from Southeast Michigan feared that he'd been hacked when he saw an email from Michigan Lottery informing him he'd won a huge Powerball prize. But it was no hack job - the email was legit, and the 78-year-old had become a big winner.

Nicholas Vasu from Southfield matched four white balls and the Powerball in the September 18 drawing, which netted him $50,000. But thanks to the Powerplay, the prize multiplied to $200,000.

Lottery Player Thought He Had Been Hacked

Vasu tells the Michigan Lottery that he is an avid online lottery player.

"When I saw an email from the Lottery the morning after the drawing telling me I’d won, I thought I’d been hacked," Vasu said. "I logged into my Lottery account and [when I] saw a balance of $200,000, I felt so relieved that it was real!"

Mr. Vasu went on to say that he plans to use his winnings to pay some bills and donate money to various charities.

Jackpots Are Growing

The current Powerball jackpot has grown to an estimated $478 million. The next drawing is on Wednesday, October 23. The Mega Millions jackpot has also been growing, currently swelling to an estimated $205 million. That drawing is tonight (10/22).

Michigan players who win large, multi-state jackpots aren't technically allowed to stay anonymous. However, there is a workaround that allows winners to employ a spokesperson in order to conceal their own identities. Michigan has also considered legislation that would allow residents who win large jackpots to keep their identities from being revealed.

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We all think winning the lottery would solve all of our problems. But you know what they say: "Be careful what you wish for."

Take a look at these six Michigan residents who won life-changing money from the Michigan Lottery. Unfortunately, all of their lives took a drastic turn for the worse soon after their wins.

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