UAE: Indian expat from Kerala wins $1m for second time in Dubai Duty Free draw

Dubai: A Dubai-based Indian expat has struck gold for the second time, becoming a $1 million winner once again in the popular Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire promotion, while a Pakistani national, also a winner, is yet to be informed as organisers have been unable to contact him.

Paul Jose Mavely, a 60-year-old hailing from south Indian state of Kerala, emerged as a winner in Millennium Millionaire Series 503 with ticket number 3532, purchased online on May 19, DDF announced on Wednesday.

A Dubai resident of 38 years, he had previously won the same prize in November 2016, making him the 11th person in the history of the promotion to win twice.

Back then, he had shared the ticket cost and prize with his nine friends. This time, he shared the cost of the ticket with his 17 friends, who have been participating in the Dubai Duty Free promotion since 1999. They have been rotating names on the ticket among the group.

Mavely is a father of two and works as a site supervisor for a small contracting company. Overwhelmed with joy, he expressed deep gratitude to Dubai Duty Free for his repeat win. “I’m very thankful to Dubai Duty Free for this second win in your amazing promotion,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kiran Batool, a Pakistani national residing in Saudi Arabia, was named the other million-dollar winner in Series 502 with ticket number 2252. Batool bought the lucky ticket online on May 5 but remains unreachable and unaware of the new millionaire status. Batool is now the 27th Pakistani national to win the draw since it began in 1999, DDF said.

The excitement continued with two more winners driving away luxury vehicles in the Finest Surprise draw.

German national Martin Rettich, a 30-year-old working for a chimney sweeping company and first-time participant, won a BMW 740i M Sport with ticket number 0939.

“It’s overwhelming! I’m very happy and lucky to have won with my first ever ticket,” said Rettich who purchased his lucky ticket at Concourse A on May 13.

Another winner, Fathollah Mostafa Mokhtar, a 42-year-old Iranian based in Dubai, claimed a BMW F 900 XR motorbike with ticket number 0043. Mokhtar, inspired by his brother’s previous win in 2008, has been trying his luck for three years.

“Thank you Dubai Duty Free! I can’t wait to see my winning bike!” said the father-of-two working in a car upholstery shop.

The draw was held at Dubai International Airport’s Concourse B, witnessed by senior Dubai Duty Free executives.