Key Points
- Sergiu Ciocan, a 46-year-old window fitter from Barnet, Greater London, won a prize bundle worth a staggering £107,000. Times Series
- The prize included a plug-in hybrid Toyota RAV4 GR Sport Plus vehicle alongside £55,000 in tax-free cash hidden in the boot. Times Series
- Mr Ciocan secured the win through the weekly Dream Car Competition run by online lifestyle and car competition company BOTB (formerly Best of the Best Limited). BOTB
- BOTB presenter Christian Williams surprised Mr Ciocan at his home to deliver the life-changing news in person. Times Series
- As reported by community reporter Robyn Bennett of the Times Series, Mr Ciocan had previously come close to winning a BMW M3 a few years prior. Times Series
- Although he praised the Toyota as his dream car, Mr Ciocan revealed plans to likely take the cash alternative to put towards purchasing his first home. Times Series
Barnet (Extra London News) July 31, 2026 – A hardworking window fitter from Greater London experienced a life-altering moment after striking it lucky in a popular online raffle, securing a luxury vehicle and cash prize bundle valued at an incredible £107,000. Sergiu Ciocan, a 46-year-old resident of Barnet, landed the major windfall as part of the weekly Dream Car Competition hosted by giveaway platform BOTB. The prize package combined a sleek Toyota RAV4 GR Sport Plus plug-in hybrid SUV with a substantial secondary cash injection of £55,000 stored right inside the vehicle’s boot. Mr Ciocan was relaxing at home after a tiring shift when BOTB presenter Christian Williams unexpectedly turned up on his doorstep to deliver the stunning surprise in person.
Who Is Sergiu Ciocan and How Did He Win?
As detailed by Robyn Bennett, community reporter for the Times Series, Sergiu Ciocan is a 46-year-old window fitter residing in the London Borough of Barnet.
Mr Ciocan has been a dedicated, long-time participant in the online competition platform for years. His perseverance finally paid off when his entry was selected in the company’s weekly Dream Car competition matrix.
Reflecting on the surreal experience of the surprise knock on his door, Mr Ciocan shared his immediate shock with the press. As reported by Robyn Bennett of the Times Series, Mr Ciocan stated that:
“I don’t know what’s going on here. A few years ago I came incredibly close to winning a BMW M3. I was very disappointed at the time, but I never gave up and kept believing that one day it would be my turn.”
The winning vehicle—a high-spec Toyota RAV4 GR Sport Plus—was parked nearby on the street during the presentation, carrying the £55,000 in tax-free cash securely hidden away in the back.
What Did BOTB Presenter Christian Williams Say About the Win?
BOTB television and online presenter Christian Williams praised the Barnet resident’s resilience and long-term commitment to the draws. Commenting on the emotional surprise visit, Mr Williams highlighted how persistence is often rewarded for loyal players.
As reported by Robyn Bennett of the Times Series, Christian Williams stated that:
“Sergiu is a great example of why it’s always worth believing. He’s been playing BOTB for years and came so close to winning in the past, but he stuck with it and his commitment has finally paid off.”
Mr Williams regularly travels across the United Kingdom to surprise unsuspecting ticket holders with luxury vehicles, tech gadgets, and life-changing sums of money as part of the company’s continuous promotional schedule.
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What Are Mr Ciocan’s Plans for the £107,000 Prize?
Although the plug-in hybrid SUV represents a top-tier automotive prize, practical considerations have taken precedence for the London window fitter.
Mr Ciocan confessed to journalists that while the Toyota qualifies as a dream vehicle, his immediate future priorities involve real estate security.
As reported by Robyn Bennett of the Times Series, Mr Ciocan revealed that although he described the Toyota as his dream car,
“he will likely take the cash alternative to put towards buying his first home.”
The flexibility built into modern promotional competitions—such as those run by Winvia Entertainment PLC, formerly known as Best of the Best Limited—allows winners to swap physical car prizes for equivalent cash sums, empowering participants to address major life milestones like clearing debts or securing property deposits.
How Do BOTB Competitions Work?
BOTB operates skilled prize competitions online, inviting participants to enter through various formats, including their flagship Dream Car competition.
Entrants typically partake in a skilled “Spot the Ball” matrix or related analytical challenges to determine the allocation of prizes. Over the years, the platform has expanded from airport-based kiosks to a massive online community offering lifestyle packages, luxury vehicles, cash sums, and instant win rewards.
Independent verification services, such as PromoVeritas, frequently audit promotional draws to ensure regulatory compliance and complete transparency for players across the United Kingdom and beyond. For local tradespeople like Mr Ciocan, these platforms offer an alternative avenue to pursue financial freedom outside of traditional means.
The story of Sergiu Ciocan serves as a striking reminder of how ordinary working-class individuals across Greater London can suddenly find their lives turned upside down through digital raffles, turning years of hopeful anticipation into a reality that funds long-held ambitions like stepping onto the property ladder.
