Dubai: An Indian expat is the latest millionaire at the Dubai Duty Free raffle draw.
Suraj Aneed, a 35-year-old Indian national based in Abu Dhabi, became the 350th winner of $1 million when his ticket number 4645 in Millennium Millionaire Series 350, which he purchased online on January 20, was drawn on February 3, Wednesday.
A resident of Abu Dhabi for five years now, Aneed watched his name called out as winner at the draw on Wednesday on Dubai Duty Free's Facebook page.
He was excited to hear his name announced on the video to say the least.
Aneed is a father of one and works in customer service for a bank.
“I regularly buy raffle tickets. I think God has seen how much I have invested in these tickets and therefore granted me a win! I am grateful for the win," he said.
Aneed, a resident of UAE for the last five years, said, “First I will invest the money I won in my child’s future, her education and marriage. I want to go on holiday trips with my family and friends too. Plus I will save for my future and that of my family. I am into share trading so some money will go towards that too."
Aneed is the 175th Indian national to win US$1 million since the start of the Millennium Millionaire promotion in 1999. Indian nationals make up the highest number of Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire ticket buyers.
Other winners
Following the Millennium Millionaire draw, the Finest Surprise draw was conducted for a motorbike.
An Indian based in Muscat, Oman, Rinshad Ali, 32, won an Indian Vintage Darkhorse (Thunder Black Smoke) motorbike, with ticket number 0266 in Finest Surprise Series 441, which he purchased online on January 16.
Ali also watched his name called out as winner at the live draw on Dubai Duty Free's Facebook page.
Married and working in an audit company, Ali was surprised to win this early with his only second ticket to Dubai Duty Free promotion.
“Indeed, there’s a big chance on winning in Dubai Duty Free promotion as compare to other promotions. Big thank you Dubai Duty Free.,” he said.
