A LOTTO winner who scooped £10million wishes he never won after half of his fortune vanished and his life spiralled out of control.
Mark Lipsham claims to have been conned by a “clairvoyant” who promised to manage his whopping windfall – but spent his cash instead.
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The New Zealand truck driver’s life was transformed in 2017 when his lucky numbers came up on the Powerball in Auckland.
Mark explained in the weeks prior to his win, he began “dreaming numbers” which he wrote down and used when he bought a lotto ticket.
The then 53-year-old quit his job on the motorways the next day – but soon came crashing down from his epic high.
The former military man struggled to cope with the lack of routine he had become accustomed to – and the millions burning a hole in his pocket.
He recalled: “I found that very hard and it led me to a place of problems – problems with myself because I wasn‘t operating how I always operated.”
He told news.com.au that he soon fell into a state of “depression, stress and frustration” as he quickly became pestered for handouts.
Mark remained in his modest home and refused to make any flash purchases with his win while fretting about his fortune.
Two years later in October 2019, the father-of-two was introduced to a clairvoyant “who apparently knew about money” by a neighbour.
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He was hopeful of shifting his multi-million-pound burden onto a financial expert, seeing him put complete trust in Kim Helmbright.
She quickly took control of Mark’s spiralling life – including his health, relationships, legal affairs and money.
Helmbright intensely mentored Mark over the next seven months and charged him a hefty £60,000 for her services.
She coached him on breathing tips, encouraged him to drink less alcohol and even convinced him to distance himself from family and friends.
After receiving payment, the fiscal guru allegedly told him she was “very expensive and likes to be paid when she ask for it.”
By this time, Mark had become more confident in handling his £10million fortune and planned to enter the property market.
In the end, it really wasn’t help at all. I actually got conned and out of quite a lot of money.
Mark Lipsham
The trusting former trucker claims to have handed Helmbright almost £1.5million in December that year to fund house purchases on his behalf.
He then travelled for a few months while visiting his daughters, but says he returned to Auckland in March 2020 to be informed by the clairvoyant there were delays with the purchases.
Mark was forced to move into a hotel due to the setback – and was left mortified when he asked for an update on the transactions.
The dad-of-two claims two months on from the original transfer, Hembright simply brushed off his queries and refused to speak to him.
The Lotto winner then terminated his professional relationship with her after realising his bank balance had slumped to £6.2million.
He told the New Zealand Herald: “In the end, it really wasn’t help at all. I actually got conned and out of quite a lot of money.”
‘FRAUD’
A pal of the millionaire later offered to help him reclaim his lost cash and allegedly uncovered she had been splashing it on homes for herself.
Helmbright is said to have bought two sprawling properties in her name with three months of receiving Mark’s £1.5million payment.
The furious former soldier put freezing orders on both pads while launching a legal battle, claiming the clairvoyant had used “fraudulently” obtained cash to pay.
However, the self-proclaimed financial advisor said the pair had drawn up a formal Freelancing Agreement for the services she provided – allowing her to use the money as she wished.
But evidence in an Auckland court showed she had either forged the document or purchased it from a dodgy online site.
Despite the drama, the dispute has since been resolved out of court.
Mark was left reeling from his rollercoaster ride since his big win, yet has now found happiness with his ever-expanding bank balance and fiancée.
But he has a word of warning for those who come up trumps on the Lotto: “Don‘t tell anyone.”
