Dubai: A Croatian and an Indian have been announced as the new dollar millionaires at the latest Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise draw, held on Friday at Concourse A of Dubai International Airport.
Zlakto Plenkovic, a 44-year-old yacht captain from Split, Croatia became a US$1 million winner, in Millennium Millionaire Series 456 with ticket number 0203, which he purchased on 25 March online.
Plenkovic, is the first Croatian national to win the Millennium Millionaire promotion since it was launched in 1999. Speaking to Dubai Duty Free over the phone he commented: “What an amazing surprise from Dubai Duty Free, it feels like a dream come true! I’m elated to win this early with my first ever ticket”.
Online purchase
Joining Plenkovic as a fellow US dollar millionaire is Soham Dudeja, a 36-year-old Indian national who was announced as the winner of US$1 million in Millennium Millionaire Series 457 with ticket number 1115, which he purchased online on April 3.
Dudeja, an automotive sales executive living in Dubai, has been participating in the Millennium Millionaire promotion for the past 20 years.
“I am thrilled to have finally won after participating for a long time. Indeed, perseverance has paid off and I can’t wait to break this news to my family.” he said.
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Luxury cars winners
Friday’s draw was conducted by Dubai Duty Free Chief Operating Officer, Ramesh Cidambi, Salah Tahlak, Joint COO, Michael Schmidt, SVP — Retail, Yousef al Khalid, VP — HR Service Delivery and Salim Ibrahim, Operations Manager.
Following the Millennium Millionaire draw, the Finest Surprise draw was conducted for one luxury car and three motorbikes.
Sayyad Gooraby Hamid, a 61-year-old Iranian national won a Mercedes Benz S500 (Selenite Grey Metallic) car with ticket number 1033 in the Finest Surprise Series 1875.
A businessman living in Nagoya, Japan, Hamid couldn’t believe his luck and commented: “I’m absolutely ecstatic! Winning a Mercedes Benz is a milestone I’ll never forget and I look forward to visiting Dubai to receive my brand new car!”
Meanwhile, Firoj Mulani, a 39-year-old Indian national based in Dubai won a BMW R 1250 RS (Blue/White/Red Metallic) motorbike with ticket number 1063 in the Finest Surprise Series 575, which he purchased on 23 March.
A first-time ticket buyer, Mulani was excited to receive the news of his win and commented: “I’m thrilled to have won with my first ever Finest Surprise ticket and grateful to Dubai Duty Free for such an incredible promotion!”
Muhamed Salih, a 36-year-old Indian national living in Sharjah won an Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1100 (Ultra Black) motorbike in the Finest Surprise Series 576 with ticket number 0632, which he purchased April 4.
Lastly, Jaefar Sareef, an Indian national based in the UAE won a BMW R 1250 GS Adventure (Black Storm Metallic) motorbike with ticket number 0941 in the Finest Surprise Series 577, which he purchased online on 12 April.
Both winners are currently uncontactable, but will no doubt be delighted to learn of their wins.
