Adam Lopez, a 39-year-old from Mattishall, Norfolk, became an overnight millionaire last July after hitting the National Lottery jackpot, but he quickly discovered the dark side of sudden wealth. Despite doubling his net worth through savvy investments, he resorted to telling people he had only £5,000 left to fend off what he called "leeches"—individuals seeking to profit from his fortune.
From Rags to Riches and Back to Lies
Before his life-changing win, Lopez had just £12.40 in his bank account and worked in construction, a job he quit immediately after receiving the prize. However, the euphoria was short-lived as he grew weary of constant advice and demands from others about how to spend his money. In response, he fabricated a story that he had squandered the jackpot and was returning to work as a forklift operator in February.
The Fabricated Tale of Financial Ruin
Lopez explained his deception in detail, saying, "I just started lying to people. Someone said, 'I bet you p***ed all that up the wall, ain’t ya?' I said, 'Yeah, I only have five grand left. I’m coming back in February to work on the forklift.'" This rumor spread quickly, with former colleagues texting to confirm his return, to which he replied, "Yeah I’ll be back soon… I’m nearly done my last five grand."
He expressed frustration that no one believed he could turn his windfall into something meaningful, noting, "At no stage did people think Adam might turn that round a little bit. Adam might actually do something with it. He’s got something about him where he could do it and I’ve done it!"
Reality vs. Fiction: A Doubled Net Worth
Contrary to his claims of near-poverty, Lopez revealed on the Anything Goes podcast with James English that his financial situation had significantly improved. "The net worth has more or less doubled, it has over doubled, like the cash net worth," he said, adding that it had even reached £3 million at one point. His investments in property and business ventures paid off, despite his admission of spending £200,000 on scratchcards over his lifetime.
Challenges of Sudden Wealth
Lopez described his pre-lottery life as lacking passion and peace, but winning brought its own set of problems. The primary downside, he said, was dealing with "leeches"—people who directed him toward purchases for their own benefit. He shared an example involving a close friend who asked for £1,500 to pay for children's school uniforms, only for Lopez to later discover some of the money was spent on an expensive Virgin Wines case and Chinese food.
Reflecting on this, he concluded, "People are never as skint as what they make out. Never ever ever. I’ve looked after people that have looked after me—sound. But there is some I wish… I didn’t give loads away. Not loads."
Life After the Lottery: Health, Love, and Investments
Today, Lopez's life has settled into a more peaceful and quiet rhythm. He is in a committed relationship with a woman he has known since childhood and has given up gambling, focusing instead on investing in a local franchise. However, he acknowledges needing to improve his health, a concern heightened by a recent health scare.
A Near-Death Experience and Lifestyle Changes
Lopez was hospitalized with a bilateral pulmonary embolism, a blood clot that spread to his lung, leaving him reportedly an hour from death. He attributed this to the lifestyle choices he made after winning, stating, "It came from the lifestyle that I chose after I won the money because the lottery did not push me that way, they looked after me with everything I could ever ask for, it was my own choice."
Despite the challenges, Lopez remains grateful for his lottery win, which he secured from a corner shop in Hellesdon, Norfolk. His story serves as a cautionary tale about the complexities of sudden wealth, from managing relationships to personal well-being.
