Scores of bidders will compete for popular numbers

Abu Dhabi: Car number plate enthusiasts will compete keenly today in a charity auction for the most popular numbers, a police official told Gulf News.

"We expect a number of bidders for 666, and 800, which is considered lucky by the Chinese because it contains an eight," said Abdullah Mattar Al Mannaei, managing director of Emirates Auction, which is organising the event on behalf of the General Directorate of Abu Dhabi Police.

"People here don't believe in the negative influence or negative stories about 666, but are fascinated by the number.

Numerous inquiries

"The number 13, which is considered unlucky by many, attracted many bidders when it was put under the hammer in March 2008. We have received numerous inquiries about 666," he said.

The 13th charity auction of Category 5 number plates (of Abu Dhabi Police) will be held at 4pm at the Emirates Palace Hotel. Among the 82 numbers, some such as 22, 30, 59, 75, 666, 800, 5555, 99999 will be the most sought after, said Al Mannaei.

Al Mannaei revealed he has not yet received any inquiries from prospective Chinese buyers about the number 800.

Single or double digit numbers have always attracted many bidders in the past but a four digit number may be a major attraction today according to organisers.

Number 5555 is a special and unique number, said Al Mannaei.

"The other numbers in the series 5, 55, 555 and 55555 were bought by a prominent business man in Abu Dhabi who may want to bag the remaining one [in the series]," he said.

The proceeds of the auction will be donated towards charity including establishing a hospital for traffic accident victims as announced by Lieutenant General Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Interior.