Lotto winner to get fast $55m bank bump
It took 175 days to claim the $55 million prize but just hours for the funds to flow to a lucky lotto player's bank account.
The money is due to reach the mystery winner on Thursday, almost six months after the Powerball draw brought up the numbers.
The enviable sum was just days from being sent to Victoria's State Revenue Office for safekeeping when the ticket-holder stepped forward on Wednesday.
They have chosen to remain anonymous, with lottery operators refusing to divulge the winner's age, gender or even where the prize was claimed, ticket in hand.
"They should see the $55 million in their bank account on Thursday morning," Tattslotto spokesman Matt Hart told AAP.
"It's all pretty straight forward now."
After the winning numbers came up in the January 11 draw, there have been weird and wacky rumours for the delay in claiming the prize.
Sam Misiano's Brunswick newsagency sold the ticket and he was relieved the search was over after many customers illegitimately tried to claim the prize.
"It has been a crazy few months but now we can relax knowing it has been claimed by the rightful winner," he said.
The feeling of relief was mutual at lottery headquarters.
"We're relieved that it's finally been claimed," Mr Hart said.
"We're in the business of making millionaires, not holding onto the money."