Martyn and Kay Tott

How horrible would it be if you knew you had won the lotto but couldn't find the ticket? That is the nightmare Martyn and Kay Tott found themselves in after winning the lotto in 2001. The ticket was acquired by the couple in September of 2000. The two didn't even realize they'd won until they watched an appeal on TV about an unclaimed lottery ticket for £3 million (about $5 million) later.

They verified the numbers and recognized them as their own, but they couldn't find the ticket anywhere. Despite this, Martyn was able to recall the store, day, and even the exact moment he purchased the ticket, so he went to Camelot, the lottery business, with his case.

After a six-week inquiry, Camelot determined that they had purchased the ticket... but had failed to file a claim for a lost ticket within 30 days, as required by lottery regulations. The jackpot became the greatest unclaimed lottery jackpot since 1994. The couple described their loss as "the cruelest torment conceivable."

Lottery Winning Year: 2001

Nationality: British