Blackburn man's 'nightmare' over Euromillions win rumours

He and his wife have faced a barrage of requests for financial help from people, with the story spreading as far away as China.

They have been left scratching their heads how the rumour started, and said their denials that they had won failed to put a stop to it.

The man, who only wanted to be referred to as 'BK' from Blackburn, said: “We had requests for motorbikes, diamonds, second homes in Dubai, sports cars, loans and mortgages to be repaid and even gold teeth. The list is endless.

“Wealthy individuals were also trying to jump on the bandwagon.

"It got both funny and ridiculous when close friends had people knocking on their doors late at night by ‘strangers’ asking for them to be introduced to me and pay off their ‘mortgages’ or ‘debts’."

The constant barrage of requests in the last few weeks has left them angry.

The rumours surfaced after it was believed an Asian person from the area had won £84million in the Euro Millions lottery in May. The winner has opted for the right to anonymity.

He said: “I was working in my office when I got the first phone call. I laughed it off at first and thought nothing of it.

“But thereafter, the avalanche of calls, text messages and emails began. Close friends and family immediately accepted that I had not won the £84 million.”

"A friend, who I worked with some years ago and now living in China, another in Washington DC, also got news of the ‘rumour’.

“All of a sudden long-lost relatives, past associates, friends of friends and total strangers, were suddenly looking to contact me.

“Individuals suddenly recollected an event or passing interaction that we may have had thereby, claiming by ‘right’ a share of the winnings."

The winning amount according to the Euro Millions website was £84,451,320.60 for the draw held on May 14.

The prize made the winner the 789th richest person in the UK with a larger personal fortune than the likes of Sir Sean Connery (£80m).