It is frequently suspected that Powerball is just a giant money laundering scheme. See if anyone actually wins and claims it? My guess the winners from the large jackpots are always from states where you don't have to publicly claim.
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Why would it matter if there is a public name to the winner? Identities can be faked/created if necessary.
Either way, I can say I worked for a family of farmers (10 years ago) who won a 8 digit powerball jackpot. They still farmed. They lived small. Never would I suspect them of being in on anything nefarious.
I think its possible but improbable due to publicity. There are easier ways to trade for illicit acts.
$1 billion dollar direct cash injection from the sheep. A lot less hassle than pilfering tax payer dollars. Plenty of both happening of course.
Thats not really money laundering though, its fraud.
Money laundering is moving "dirty" money made from illegal services/trade to a person in a way that appears legal. Something like modern art, where value is subjective and can conjured in a small period of time and sold for millions with zero oversight. Businesses that have few/no customers but money comes in daily in the ledgers. This is money laundering.
Again, its possible the mega lotteries are fixed and controlled. It wouldn't surprise me at all if its happened before. I think identity or transparency is a poor indicator of fraud though. Anyone can win.