A man who claims he won the 25 million yuan (US$3.12 million) top prize in a welfare lottery in Shenzhen has reportedly moved out of his home for the time being to avoid theft or abduction.

The prize was the biggest ever in Shenzhen, according to a Nanfang City News report yesterday.

Although the winner has not yet claimed the prize, he has become a focus of the public, the Guangdong-based newspaper said.

The man's identity has not been confirmed.

The News said a man surnamed Liang called them on Monday morning and said his friend spent 10 yuan buying lottery tickets last week, and won the top prize.

Liang said the friend was very excited, but was also nervous. He was worried that he would become a target for criminals.

Liang said his friend was unwilling to do any interviews, and also declined to give the friend's contact information, the newspaper said.

On Monday afternoon, Liang told the newspaper that the friend has moved to a hotel with his family.

The winning ticket was sold at a booth run by Ouyang Kechang and Xiong Xiuying, a married couple. They said sales at their store have improved noticeably since Monday.

Editor: Yan