A former convict and factory worker who won nearly EUR 10 million on the lottery is living proof that it is never enough after he bizarrely started charging journalists for interviews.
Kursat Yildirim, aged 42, has apparently started looking at ways to keep the funds high after he splurged over EUR 1.5 million in just a month.
Ex-con Kursat, nicknamed ‘Chico’, previously did time for fraud and for the robbery of several amusement arcades to feed a gambling and drug addiction habit, according to local media.
He was given a 27-month jail term in February 2021 but was released early due to good conduct and his willingness to undergo therapy.
The lucky winner from the city of Dortmund, in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, quit his job at a steel plant and went on a massive spending spree after he won EUR 9.9 million (GBP 8.72 million) on 24th September.
The son of hard-working Turkish migrant parents reportedly splashed out EUR 1.5 million (GBP 1.3 million) in the first month following the win.
Kursat bought a GBP 392,000 V8 Ferrari 448 Pista, a Porsche Turbo S Cabriolet, and went shopping at luxury stores such as Rolex, Prada, Gucci and Versace.
He had reportedly bought his father the latest Mercedes-Benz S-Class model to thank him for being a good parent.
In addition, he purchased a penthouse in Istanbul, Turkey and was looking to buy a property with a view of the lake in the north of Dortmund.
But after he realised that he could be broke this time next year at the rate he is spending, Chico began charging journalists for interviews, as reported by Turkish media.
He allegedly visited the Kreuzberg district in Berlin, known for its large Turkish population, and promoted himself to locals: “Don’t you know me, I’m a lottery millionaire. Kursat Yildirim, from Dortmund, you know, the famous one.”
The 42-year-old man was reportedly criticised by his stepmother Jutta S., 76, when the two met for the first time in 20 years on 14th November.
She then told him: “Boy, be careful. The money can be gone very quickly, as much as it seems now.”
He was also criticised for his excessive spending by German newspaper Bild’s producers who said: “If you go at this speed, your money will run out in a year.”
To that, Chico replied: “The first expensive purchases just had to be easy. I won’t buy a Porsche or Ferrari every month.
“I just got them for the haters. For all the envious people.
“Everyone should know! Ninety per cent are jealous and think I don’t deserve this. But I’m working class, I’ll never become an arrogant person.”
After he hit the jackpot, Kursat revealed that he has been flooded with messages from women since he spread the news of his lottery windfall on Facebook and Instagram.
He even left his e-mail address in German tabloids so that interested women could get in touch.
He underlined: “I really want to fall in love. I’m looking for a woman who loves to travel and is ready to start a family with me. I need a woman I can trust no matter what happens.”
However, his ex-girlfriend claimed a few days later that he had dumped her after winning the jackpot.
The heartbroken 50-year-old was reportedly horrified and told local media she never wanted to see him again.
