Thinking it’s junk, man deletes email informing him he won $50M lottery

VICTORIA, Australia (WKRC) — An Australian man almost missed out on millions in lottery winnings after he deleted an email telling him he won.

Per PEOPLE, the Victoria man, who asked to remain anonymous, told lottery officials that he thought their initial email was junk. Officials had first tried calling the man to tell him he won the $50 million AUD prize (around $35 million USD) , but they said the phone number they had was outdated. That’s when they resorted to emailing.

After receiving a second email from officials, the man said he checked the winning lottery numbers and then called to confirm that he had actually won.

“I’m in shock,” the man told officials. “I’m just sitting here watching the footy with my son. When my wife gets home, have I got news for her!”

The man says he plans to use his winnings to help others, as well as buy a home for his family.