Dubai: An Indian expat based in the UAE has won the latest Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise draw taking home $1 million.
Sarath Kunnummal purchased ticket number 4275 in the Millennium Millionaire Series 351 online on February 2.
Kunnummal, 26, has been working as a technician earning a salary of Dh1,600 a month. He is sharing the ticket with nine other people so his shares is 1/10th of the prize money. Nevertheless that still works out to $100,000 (Dh365,000 approximately), an amount that would have taken him years perhaps a decade to earn. And when this newspaper contacted him, the excitement was high.
“My parents are more than 70 years old. They have health issues. I will save this money for them. I also have a dream of building a big house for my parents in Kerala,” said Kunnummal, who hails from Kannoor district in Kerala. "These are tough times and I am grateful for this win. It is taking time to sink in. Rest assured this money will be put to good use.”
Other winners
Abu Dhabi resident Rhea Roopesh, 17, an Indian expat won a BMW X6 M50i (Mineral White Metallic) car, with ticket number 1149 in Finest Surprise Series 1767, which her father purchased under her name online on January 16.
A resident of Abu Dhabi for seven years now, Rhea is a Grade 12 student at the Abu Dhabi Indian School. “This is completely unexpected, thank you so much Dubai Duty Free. My father has been trying his luck for so many years and its feels amazing to finally win,” she said.
Erwin Speiser, 53, from Neidling in Lower Austria won a BMW F 900 XR (Racing Red) motorbike, with ticket number 0312 in Finest Surprise Series 442, which he purchased online January 20.
Speiser, who watched the live draw on Dubai Duty Free’s Facebook page, was thrilled to hear his name announced on the video.
A regular participant at the DDF’s promotion since 2012, Speiser was pleasantly surprised with his second motorbike win. He previously won a Ducati Hypermotard SP with ticket number 0356 in Finest Surprise Series 303 back in April 25 2017. “It was always a great pleasure to win from Dubai Duty Free.”
Another Abu Dhabi expat Sanyo Thomas, 40, won an Aprilia Tuono Factory (Atomico Racer) motorbike, with ticket number 0488 in Finest Surprise Series 443, which he purchased online on February 4.
Thomas, a resident of Abu Dhabi for 14 years now, works as an operations officer for GEMS United Indian School in Abu Dhabi. He was buying the DDF ticket for the first time. “It’s unbelievable, I can’t say anything now. I’m just so happy and excited,” he said.
