NZ truckie who won $19million on Powerball claims he was conned by ‘clairvoyant’: Mark Lipsham

A New Zealand truck driver whose life changed forever when he became an instant multimillionaire has opened up on his struggles since winning Lotto, including encounters with a ‘clairvoyant’ he claims conned and almost ‘broke’ him.

Mark Lipsham was a worker on Auckland’s Puhoi motorway extension when his lucky numbers were drawn on Powerball in late 2017, netting him NZ$19.1million (AUS$17.1million).

The former military man had recently celebrated his 53rd birthday when he started ‘dreaming numbers’ which he wrote down and used when he bought Lotto tickets.

Mr Lipsham found out about his massive windfall when he reclaimed his ticket at a supermarket on his way home from work. He quit his job the next day.

He struggled to come to terms with his sudden windfall which was started dwindling after a long line of friends and acquaintances began asking for a handout.

Two years later in October 2019, the father-of-two was lonely and in dark place when a neighbour suggested getting help from a clairvoyant ‘who apparently knew about money’.

He met and started taking advice on all aspects of his life from Kim Helmbright, who not only gave health and life counselling but also took on his financial and legal affairs

Over the next seven months, Helmbright helped Mr Lipsham with everything from breathing tips to drinking less alcohol as she suggested he distance himself from family and friends. 

Mr Lipsham transferred $70,000 to Helmbright that he believed was for those services after she told him she was ‘very expensive and I like to be paid when I ask for it’.

He was also entering the property market around the same time and claims he gave Helmbright NZ$2.8million in December 2019 to settle house purchases on his behalf.

Mr Lipsham was away for several months visiting family and was forced to move into a hotel when he returned Auckland in March 2020, after he was told by Helmbright there were delays with the property purchases.

Mark claims ‘clairvoyant’ Kim Helmbright (pictured) conned and almost ‘broke’ him in the seven months he sought guidance and advice from her

Two months later, he texted Helmbright requesting an update on his money and new home and he claims he got rude reply back.

‘Six weeks of no contact and you message me out of the blue. I am not answering your call as I am not going to have you talking to me in that manner,’ she texted, according to the New Zealand Herald.

Mr Lipsham then decided to end professional ties with Helmbright as his bank balance dropped to NZ$12million.

‘In the end, it really wasn’t help at all. I actually got conned and out of quite a lot of money,’ he told the publication.

‘I thought to myself, ‘I’m just gonna let it go’. I’ve been through this stressful time. I don’t want to go through any more of it. I’m just going to go with what I’ve got.’ 

Mark Lipsham (pictured) faced many challenges after winning NZ$19.1million Powerball but now says he’s in a good place

Mr Lipsham initially decided to cut his losses but later met a friend who offered to help him reclaim his money.

A search found that Helmbright had bought two properties purchased in her own name within three months of the NZ$2.8million payment.

Mr Lipsham put legal freezing orders on both properties and launched court proceedings, alleging Helmbright had bought the land with money ‘fraudulently’ obtained.

Helmbright told the High Court last month the NZ$2.8million was for the services she provided under a formal Freelancing Agreement and she was free to do with it whatever she wished.

Evidence produced in court showed that agreement was either cobbled together by Helmbright or purchased by her from an online site.

Mark Lipsham, (pictured before his windfall) was working as a truck driver and had just celebrated his 53rd birthday

 Mark Lipsham quit his job working on Auckland’s Puhoi motorway extension (pictured) the day after he found out he’d won Powerball

The dispute has since been resolved out of court.

Mr Lipsham said he couldn’t discuss details of the settlement, citing legal reasons.

But documents filed with Land Information NZ reveal two properties were recently transferred from Helmbright to interests controlled by Mr Lipsham.

Helmbright denied the allegation of fraud in the caveat document when contacted by the publication but didn’t respond to other questions.

Mr Lipsham says he’s now in a good place with his bank balance now looking healthier than ever before.

He’s also excited about his first ever overseas trip and upcoming wedding.

He also had some advice for lucky Lotto winners who claim lifechanging windfalls.

‘Don’t tell no one.’

Mr Lipsham says he’s now in a good place with his bank balance now looking healthier than ever before