Who needs Derren Brown? Bulgarian lottery draws same numbers in consecutive weeks



Feat: The Bulgarian investigation follows Derren Brown correctly predicting the British lottery

In a surprise worthy of Derren Brown, the same six winning numbers have been drawn twice in a row in Bulgaria's national lottery.

The country's government ordered an investigation after the numbers 4, 15, 23, 24, 35 and 42 were selected, in a different order, live on television on September 6 and 10.

However police found no evidence of wrongdoing.



A Bulgarian lottery spokesman said: 'This has happened for the first time in the 52-year history of the lottery. We are absolutely stunned to see such a freak coincidence.'

Bulgaria's Sports Minister Svilen Neykov has now launched a probe into the draws, which were done by machine, on September 6 and 10.

Investigators are due to report back by the end of the week.



Mathematician Mihail Konstantinov said that the probability of this happening is about 4.2 million to one.

He did, however, add that such coincidences can happen.

The draws take place in the presence of a special lottery committee that is meant to guarantee no manipulation.

In demand: Bulgarians queue to buy tickets for their state-run lottery

Although no-one won the September 6 draw, an unprecedented 18 people got all six numbers on September 10.

The winners will each get 10,164 leva (around £1,500).

Bulgarian's last major jackpot was 3.8 million leva (£1.9million euros) in January 2008.

The investigation follows magician Derren Brown correctly predicting the British National Lottery draw last week.

There have been a number of theories about how he pulled off the feat, including the use of a split screen.

