The Man Who Defied the Odds: How One Israeli Won the Lottery 14 Times

Stefan Mandel secured 14 lottery wins - each in a different country where he lived, including Israel, where his family still resides.

Yet, Mandel's story holds a touch of sadness: for 17 years, he hasn't seen his family, nor has the 80-year-old grandfather met his Israeli grandchildren.

In the coming days, the Israeli mathematician plans to return home, following a 2004 sentence of ten months in prison and a 100,000 NIS fine due to a conflict with the Securities Authority. Mandel claims his innocence, alleging a case was "fabricated" against him by the Authority, causing him to roam the world feeling "like a hunted criminal" for 17 years.

In an interview with 'Channel 13 News', Mandel shared that his total winnings in Israel and abroad amounted to around 30 million dollars net, but "a lot of the money went abroad," he says, adding that he's not afraid to return to the country, though his heart trembles when he recalls the investigation initiated against him over a land-selling initiative in the Vanuatu Islands, which he led.

During the investigation, he was charged - but never attended the trial.

When asked how he managed to win the lottery so often, Mandel explained it was purely mathematical calculations: "I covered all possibilities, and it wasn't surprising. I knew I would win first place," he states.