Queensland $10 million Powerball winner almost didn't claim her prize, thinking she had been scammed

Australia’s latest Powerball winner unknowingly missed multiple calls confirming her new millionaire status, with the grandmother from Queensland initially believing she had been scammed.

The woman from Sarina, not far from Mackay, won $10 million in Thursday night’s Powerball Draw 1469.

She held the only division one entry in the country, taking the entire jackpot for herself.

Officials from The Lott had tried to get in contact with her multiple times on Friday morning, but were unsuccessful.

The woman woke to see the missed calls but did not initially think to call back as she thought it could have been a scam.

“I saw the missed calls when I woke up this morning, but I thought it was a scam, so I decided to leave it,” she told officials.

“It wasn’t until I listened to the voicemail from you that I knew it wasn’t a scam and something was up.”

She also admitted she almost didn’t buy a Powerball ticket as she was in a rush on the way to work.

“I’m so glad I did,” the new millionaire said.

“This is absolutely life-changing, so wonderful.”

The woman said she would use her newfound fortune to help pay off her mortgage and a few lingering bills.

A much-needed new car was also now a possibility, she said.

“I’d love to buy a Honda or Toyota with a bull bar because we really need one where we live,” she said.

“I’ll also slowly start to cut down my hours at work and eventually retire.

“It will give me more time to spend with my grandchildren.”

The woman bought her winning ticket from Freechoice Sarina, which last sold a division one winning entry two years ago.

“We’re really pleased to have sold another one,” shop owner Emily Thomson said.

“Congratulations to the winner and we wish them all the best with their multi-million-dollar prize.”

The winning numbers in Powerball draw 1469 were 17, 20, 9, 12, 19, 22 and 16. The Powerball number was 9.