Ling Chun-ting, 36, an inspector with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), bought the group's two tickets for the Sept. 5 draw, and the tickets won more than HK$33.1 million ($4.2 million), the South China Morning Post reported, citing a court order it had access to on Oct. 26.

Winnings were to be split according to what each member put in, the plaintiffs claim, which would entitle Ling to about HK$4.2 million and leave the remaining HK$28.9 million to them.

"In fact, none of you knew which numbers I picked, so I could simply choose not to split the winnings with you guys," Ling is cited in the High Court writ as telling colleagues at their office on Sept. 7.

The writ says he promised to share the money out of "good conscience" but never did, and that he told colleagues he would have fled with the money had the tickets won a full first-prize unit, worth more than HK$60 million.

The 15 officers, then all attached to an FEHD division that develops and renovates wet markets, agreed to pool money for Mark Six tickets after a senior superintendent said it would foster team spirit, the writ says. Ling was tasked with placing the bets and holding the tickets, it adds.

For the Sept. 5 draw, the 14 plaintiffs each paid between HK$20 and HK$300 toward two HK$825 tickets, while Ling put in HK$210 by his own account, the filing says.

After the win, the plaintiffs claim, Ling deleted messages that served as proof of purchase and told them he was under no obligation to share. When they asked to see the tickets, they say, he told them he was taking leave and asked to put off talks until Sept. 13. The writ says he has distributed none of the winnings despite repeated requests.

Lottery balls tumble inside a draw machine. Illustration photo by Unsplash/Dylan Nolte

The plaintiffs are suing for breach of agreement, fraudulent misrepresentation, breach of trust and unjust enrichment. They want the court to bar Ling from dealing with the HK$28.9 million they say is theirs and to order him to pay damages.

One of the colleagues reported the matter to police on Sept. 9, and two days later police arrested a 36-year-old man on suspicion of theft, Hong Kong Free Press reported.

Police Commissioner Joe Chow said officers had frozen the suspect's bank accounts, and the man was released on bail.

The FEHD said in September that it was aware of the police investigation and would cooperate fully, The Standard reported.

The prize came from the Hong Kong Jockey Club's 50th anniversary Mark Six snowball draw, which had an estimated first prize fund of HK$228 million. The group's winnings comprised half of one first-prize unit plus second, third and several smaller prizes, the newspaper reported.

The plaintiffs' claims have not been tested in court, and no response from Ling has been reported.