An Indian-origin family in Australia has transformed a charity lottery prize into a windfall exceeding $5 million after selling a luxury beachfront home they won last year. Sanju and Sweety, who reside in the Perth suburb of Success with their three children, initially won the MSWA Lottery Home in May, along with $100,000 in cash. At that time, the total prize was valued at $4.25 million.
Instead of moving into the property, the couple opted to sell it. The Marmion beachfront home was sold last month for $4.899 million, adding roughly $649,000 to their original winnings and pushing their total gain beyond $5 million, according to Australia Today.
Surprise Win and Initial Disbelief
The couple expressed that the win came as a complete surprise. Sanju, a mechanical engineer who moved to Australia in 2019, had been buying lottery tickets regularly for a few years, primarily to support a charitable cause. He said: "I came to Australia in 2019. From 2020 I was buying these tickets... more of a way to give back to society in some small way."
At first, they did not believe they had actually won. Sweety, who works as a nurse educator, only accepted the news after verifying the results herself online. The couple initially thought the call informing them of the win might have been a prank.
Luxurious Beachfront Property
The property itself was one of the standout features of the lottery. Located in Marmion, it is a four-bedroom, four-bathroom beachfront home with views stretching towards Rottnest Island and Hillarys. The double-storey house includes a lift, large windows, high ceilings, and premium interiors. Outside, the home features a wraparound pool and an entertainer's deck facing the ocean, offering clear sunset views.
The prize alone was already substantial, but the decision to sell the home has significantly increased the family's overall gain. By selling the property, the couple not only secured the cash value but also added nearly $650,000 above the original valuation, turning a generous prize into an even more lucrative outcome.
