Twice lucky! UAE resident wins car, $1million through Dubai Duty Free draws in two years

Dubai: A UAE resident has become twice lucky by winning a luxury car and $1million through Dubai Duty Free (DDF) draws in two years.

Maed Hassan, a 64-year-old Syrian national based in Abu Dhabi became one of the two $1 million winners in DDF ‘s Millennium Millionaire Series 495 in the draw held on Thursday at Concourse B of Dubai International Airport.

Luck smiled on Hassan again through his ticket number 2525 which he purchased online on March 7.

A resident of the UAE for 33 years, Hassan who works as mechanical engineer for Combined Group Contracting Company, is no stranger to winning as he previously won a Mercedes Benz S500 in the Finest Surprise Series 1853 with ticket number 0068 in October 2023, DDF said in a press release.

A regular participant in Dubai Duty Free promotions for nine years now, Hassan, a father of three, was delighted with his win and recalled his wish to win in the Millennium Millionaire promotion after winning a car in the Finest Surprise draw, it said.

“Thank you very much Dubai Duty Free! I hope for everyone to be a winner, this will really change people’s lives,” he said.

“Sea change in fortune”

Joining Hassan as a fellow US dollar millionaire was Sanjay Ghosh, a 57-year-old Indian national based in Kolkata, India, who won in Millennium Millionaire Series 496 with ticket number 3443 which he purchased online on March 24.

A regular participant in Dubai Duty Free promotion since 2009, Ghosh is a father of one and works as captain for an oil tanker.

Presently on the ship, transiting Singapore straight he said: “I was having this feeling since yesterday when I saw the email from DDF informing the draw date for Millennium Millionaire Series 496, that maybe the day has come. And today, while I was on the navigating bridge and saw this UAE number calling my mobile, I knew that this is it and true enough, I finally won US$1 million!”

“Thank you so much Dubai Duty Free, I can finally retire and enjoy my life with my family,” added Ghosh.

Winners of cars, bikes

Following the Millennium Millionaire draw, the Finest Surprise draw was conducted for two luxury cars and motorbikes.

Mohamed Alhashmi, an Emirati national based in the UAE won a Range Rover SE P360 (Ostuni Pearl White) car with ticket number 0181 in the Finest Surprise Series 1916 which he purchased online on March 12.

Meanwhile, Jayaram Kodialbail, an Indian national based in India won a Mercedes Benz S500 (Graphite Grey Metallic) car with ticket number 1107 in the Finest Surprise Series 1915 which he purchased online on March 23.

Also, Viajayan Elimarthy, an Indian national based in India won a BMW F 900 XR (Black Storm Metallic) motorbike with ticket number 0939 in the Finest Surprise Series 618 which he purchased online on March 3.

Ambeesh Premdas, a 43-year-old Indian national based in Rashidiya, won an Indian 101 Scout (Sunset Red Metallic) motorbike with ticket number 1131 in the Finest Surprise Series 619 which he purchased online on March 25.

A regular participant in Dubai Duty Free's promotion for almost 5 years, Premdas is a father of one and works as a technical advisor for Al Futtaim.

“Thank you Dubai Duty Free for this amazing win!” he said.

Previous winner

Following the Millennium Millionaire draw, a presentation to the previous Millennium Millionaire Series 493 winner was conducted.

Tanaz C, an American national who flew in all the way from Houston, Texas, won US$1 million in Millennium Millionaire Series 493 with ticket number 2912 and became the 14th American national to have won the Millennium Millionaire promotion since 1999.

"I love the fact that I get to win the Millennium Millionaire and it’s just fabulous. I hope I can put this money to some better causes and hopefully indulge a little myself as well.  Thank you Dubai Duty Free for running this amazing promotion.”