A US woman who told police she bought and lost a lottery ticket worth $162m (€127m) has all but admitted she made it up, saying tearfully: “I wanted to win so bad for my kids and my family. I apologise.”

A WOMAN who claims she lost the winning Mega Millions lottery ticket and is suing to block payment to the acknowledged winner last night said she was charged previously with credit card fraud and assault.

A mother claimed a massive American lottery jackpot today, dismissing claims by another woman who earlier said she had lost the ticket.