Toronto man charged in alleged $1M Ontario lottery heist — group play betrayal suspected
Posted November 25, 2025 9:43 am.
Last Updated November 25, 2025 4:25 pm.
A Toronto man is facing criminal charges after allegedly claiming a $1-million Lotto Max free play ticket that investigators say should have been split among a group of three.
On July 2, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) alleged the man claimed the $1-million prize with Encore as the sole claimant and received payment from the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG). The OLG Forensic Investigation Unit later received claims that the ticket was part of a group-play arrangement.
In September, OPP investigators, working with OLG and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), said they launched a probe. Authorities said it was determined the winnings should have been shared among three individuals, not kept by one.
OLG has a robust process with many levels of scrutiny and transparency in the prize claim process,” read a statement from OLG. They added no further details could be provided as the case is now before the courts.
OPP officers said 70-year-old Alex Parucha was arrested on Nov. 19 following a months-long investigation into the disputed jackpot.
Parucha was charged with theft over $5,000, fraud over $5,000 and possession of property obtained by crime.
He was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 8. The allegations haven’t been proven in court.
“OLG has a robust process with many levels of scrutiny and transparency in the prize claim process,” read a statement from OLG. They added no further details could be provided as the case is now before the courts.
