Man wins $1 million in Dubai Duty Free draw, still unaware

Dubai – A Bahraini national has become the latest dollar millionaire in Dubai after winning the top prize in the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire draw, held today at Concourse C of Dubai International Airport.

Mohamed Tareq Mohamed Akbar, a resident of Manama, Bahrain, won US$1 million in Millennium Millionaire Series 504 with ticket number 3897, which he purchased online on May 25.

He is the fourth Bahraini national to win the US$1 million prize since the promotion began in 1999.

However, the new millionaire was unaware of his fortune till the time of publishing this report. While organisers had not been able to reach him, he was expected to be thrilled upon hearing the life-changing news, the organisers said on Wednesday afternoon.

The draw was conducted by Dubai Duty Free’s top executives, including Managing Director Ramesh Cidambi, along with senior members from marketing, retail, HR, finance, and Dubai Police.

Car winners

Following the Millennium Millionaire announcement, the excitement continued with the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise draw, which saw two luxury cars and two motorbikes given away.

Agop Kazanjian, a 45-year-old Armenian national living in Dubai, won a Mercedes Benz S500 (Selenite Grey Metallic) in Finest Surprise Series 1924 with ticket number 1024. He bought his winning ticket online on May 16.

A regular participant in the Dubai Duty Free promotions for 11 years, Kazanjian works as a plant manager for a food manufacturing company and is a father of two.
“Finally, I’m very happy that I have won! Thank you, Dubai Duty Free,” he said.

Another Dubai resident, Stefan Terry, a 44-year-old British national, won a Range Rover SE P360 (Ostuni Pearl White) in Series 1926 with ticket number 1840, purchased at Concourse B on June 5.

Terry, who has called Dubai home for 20 years and has been entering the draw for the past five years, is a father of two and managing director of an investment firm.
“Thank you so much Dubai Duty Free. This is absolutely unbelievable!” he said.

Motorbike winners

In the motorbike segment, Mohannad Abu Arja, a 41-year-old Jordanian national also based in Dubai, won an Aprilia Tuono V4 Factory 1100 (Black/Red) in Series 625 with ticket number 0742, bought online on May 27.

A father of two and IT project manager for a commercial bank, Abu Arja has been participating in the promotions for five years.
“Thank you Dubai Duty Free. I’m very thankful for this win,” he said.

Lastly, Muhammad Atif, a 23-year-old Pakistani national residing in Hail, Saudi Arabia, won a BMW F 900 GS Adventure (Black Storm Metallic) in Series 626 with ticket number 0371, which he purchased online on May 26.

A first-time participant and father of one, Atif works as a family driver.
“I’m so lucky to win with my first ever ticket to Dubai Duty Free promotion,” he said.