His name is Chris Shaw. He won the Powerball in Missouri in April 2010. He’s now got $258 million in his bank account (depending on annuity or lump-sum, of course), up from just $29 before. He’s happy he doesn’t have to worry how he’ll pay utilities or repay a friend $1,000 for a used pick-up. He plans to take his kids to DisneyWorld. There’s no word on it, but I imagine he’ll get his smile spruced up a bit, too. He also says he’ll take a few days to decide whether he’ll quit his convenience store job (you know where I’ll place my bet).

How can you not like this guy? It’s a rags to riches story. And you like to feel good for him.

But then there’s reality.

Swindlers will be all over Shaw with “no-risk” deals to double a fortune. Some schemers make a full time job out of stalking new lotto winners. Their tactics are sinister, shrewd, and convincing.

Family members will have expectations of Shaw that will be way out of line. Demands for fancy homes and luxury cars will come from even distant relatives only because “hey, you can spare it, cuz.” If he says no, then responses will eventually become violent.

And this good guy, Chris Shaw, is not at all ready for any of it.

There’s a reason there’s not a light-hearted reality show about lotto winners. It’s because a lot of them are broke and ruined within 2 years of “hitting it big.”

I wish the best for Chris. I hope he gets sound financial advice from someone with the right amount of fiduciary responsibility.