An Otago woman thought she had been scammed when she won $50,000 in the August Bonus Bonds draw.
The woman, who declined to be named, said she was in shock when she got the news.
"I thought it was a scam. I had dreamed of a big win like this but it was completely unexpected."
She won the money after investing an inheritance in Bonus Bonds because she wanted to make sure she would not spend it.
She will keep her winnings with Bonus Bonds for now, but she plans to travel overseas to visit family and put some of her win towards home renovations.
