In 2004, Sharon Tirabassi, a single mother who had been on welfare, cashed a check from the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. for $10,569,00.10 (Canadian).

She subsequently spent her winnings on a "big house, fancy cars, designer clothes, lavish parties, exotic trips, handouts to family, loans to friends," and in less than a decade she's back "riding the bus, working part-time, and living in a rented house."

Luckily, Tirabassi put some of her windfall in trusts for her six children, who can claim the money when they turn 26.