A British couple experienced every lottery player’s worst nightmare just days before Christmas 2015. David and Edwina Nylan believed they had won a staggering £35 million ($46 million) jackpot, only to face a crushing reality check.

The couple, from Fleetwood, Lancashire, used an app to select their usual numbers—01, 02, 04, 19, 28, and 41—for the December 23 draw. When those exact numbers appeared, they thought their lives had changed forever. However, their celebration was cut short when they logged into their account.

The Transaction That Failed

To their horror, there was no record of the win. Camelot, the lottery operator, confirmed that the ticket purchase never actually completed. The couple’s online account held only 60p, causing the transaction to fail due to insufficient funds just before the deadline.

Edwina admitted she hadn’t checked for a purchase confirmation email amidst the busy holiday rush. Despite being “gutted” by the technicality, the couple remains resilient. They have chosen to focus on gratitude for their family rather than dwelling on the loss. Their story serves as a stark reminder for digital players: always double-check that your transaction is confirmed before the draw begins.