A woman from Georgia received the surprise of a lifetime when a scratch-off lottery ticket gifted by her father turned into a multi-million-dollar windfall.
Vanesa Menijvar Acosta, a resident of Norcross, Georgia, is now celebrating a massive $2 million win thanks to a gift she never expected to change her life.
The winning ticket was part of the “$25,000,000 Mega Money” game, a Massachusetts State Lottery scratch-off. It was purchased by her father, Menjivar Acosta, at the East Boston Corner Market, located on London Street in East Boston.
According to lottery officials, Vanesa received the ticket from her father as a simple gesture. However, the outcome was far from ordinary. The ticket revealed itself to be a top-prize winner, instantly making her a millionaire.
After accepting her reward, Menijvar Acosta chose a lump sum cash payout over periodic installments. She received a one-time payment of $1.3 million before taxes, a move that many big winners make in exchange for fast access to funds.

During a conversation with lottery authorities, Vanesa expressed her delight and hopes for the future. She expressed her desire to use the money to buy a home and attend college. She described her victory as a dream come true and a watershed moment in her life.
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