For one Canadian lottery winner, celebrations turned to criminal charges after he allegedly came forward to claim a group win for himself.

Lottery player Alex Parucha, 70, is a Toronto resident and retiree who won a $1-million Encore prize in a Lotto Max draw. However, he was arrested on Nov. 19 and now faces multiple charges after it transpired that Parucha’s solo win was actually a group win.

According to a news release from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), an individual claimed a $1-million Lotto Max Free Play ticket with Encore as “a sole claimant” and received his winnings from OLG.

In a release from OLG, Parucha said he has been playing the lottery for almost 30 years. He matched all seven Encore numbers in the Lotto Max May 20 draw, thereby winning the $1-million prize.

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