Watch CBS News

Local Expert Reacts To Reported Powerball Prank

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Two of the winners of the largest jackpot in history are still a mystery, after reports a nurse found out that her win was allegedly a joke.

The woman reportedly celebrated with co-workers at a healthcare and wellness center in California Wednesday night, after she allegedly heard from her son she had won.

It was reported that her son allegedly sent her a picture of the ticket. The news snowballed, and later it was reported it was allegedly a joke.

"If it is true that this is a joke, I don't think it's very funny," David Levy, the facilities manager, told CBS Los Angeles. "I would feel terrible. She's the sweetest person. That would really be a terrible joke."

According to CBS 3 health reporter, Stephanie Stahl, playing the Powerball can be a problem when our brain mixes up reality and fantasy. So imagine the damage done, when your brain actually believes you've won, when you didn't.

In the end the woman's daughter reportedly said it was a misunderstanding based on a picture allegedly sent to their mother.

So why would someone's child possibly pull what many people are calling a cruel joke?

If the child is a minor, local therapist Carol Blum says, "A child doesn't realize it's a set up for disappointment."

Blum, a staff therapist at the Council for Relationships, calls the alleged joke an example of wish-fulfillment.

"There is a fantasy, that as a child, especially with something as big as the Powerball, that if you win, you will be the apple of your mother's eye."

The California jackpot winning ticket was one of three sold nationwide. It was purchased at a 7-Eleven store in Chino Hills and matched all six numbers.

This week, a Powerball mishap happened at a New Jersey restaurant. Employees thought that their office pool ticket had matched all six numbers from last Saturday night's drawing, but they were looking at the numbers from the previous drawing.

Local Powerball players may not have won the historic jackpot-winning prize, but they certainly didn't come away empty-handed. Three $1 million tickets were sold in Pennsylvania, and a $2 million ticket was sold in New Jersey.

What's the worst way you've ever been pranked?

We want to hear your stories. Share them in the comment page of our Facebook page or tweet us at @CBSPhilly.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.