A Sterling Heights man is looking forward to having a very happy birthday after claiming a $100,000 500X Money Maker Second Chance prize days before his birthday.

Safa Behnam, 45, won $100,000 after he was selected in a random drawing that took place Nov. 30. He earned entries into the giveaway by scanning non-winning 500X Money Maker tickets on the Michigan Lottery app.

“I have been playing the 500X Money Maker game a lot, hoping to win one of the big $6 million prizes, and then scanning the non-winners for a second chance,” said Behnam. “I saw an email from the Lottery saying I’d won a $100,000 prize, but I thought it was a scam. I called the Lottery office to confirm it was just a scam email, so when they told me it was real, I was shocked. My birthday is in a few days, so winning is a pretty great early birthday gift!”

Behnam recently visited Lottery headquarters to claim his prize. With his winnings, he plans to take his family on a vacation to Mexico and then save the remainder.

“Winning means less stress and more vacations and relaxing for me and my family,” said Behnam.

Each non-winning 500X Money Maker ticket is eligible for a second chance to win a prize ranging from $500 up to $100,000. Players may enter by scanning their non-winning tickets on the Michigan Lottery mobile app ticket scanner by June 21, 2024. Nine more second chance drawings will be conducted. Each drawing will award:

• One winner of $100,000
• Five winners of $10,000
• Twenty winners of $1,000
• Sixty winners of $500

Players can visit www.michiganlottery.com/500XMoneyMaker for complete game rules and drawing dates. The next drawing is scheduled for Jan. 18.