China lottery winner seeks anonymity through cartoon bear disguise

China's lottery winners, taking home prizes of worth millions of dollars, have long taken to disguise to ensure anonymity and avoid recognition by family, friends and the government at official presentations, which often take place on television.
In the latest case, a man from Shanxi received a winner's check of 520 million yuan ($84.8 million) and appearing on TV had disguised himself as a cartoon bear, who told the press he spent between 20,000 and 30,000 RMB ($3,250 - $4,900) on lottery tickets every year, local media reports.
The tradition of wearing costumes is said to date back 25 years or more, with other individuals appearing as characters such as Mickey Mouse, when the Sports Lottery Center in Shandong awarded a man a 397.6 million yuan check. He even used a device to alter the sound of his voice.
A 40-year old businessman from Shaoxing, Zhejiang appeared 34 days after winning the jackpot of 565 million yuan, wearing a huge panda helmet. Others are reported to have turned up as the character 'Batman' while others wear simple sunglasses or face masks.