DUBAI: Two lucky winners have joined the ranks of millionaires after Dubai Duty Free’s latest Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise draws at Concourse B of Dubai International Airport.
A Syrian national and an Indian national are celebrating their windfall, while four others will soon be driving away in luxury vehicles.
Maed Hassan, a 64-year-old Syrian national based in Abu Dhabi, won US$1 million in Millennium Millionaire Series 495 with ticket number 2525, which he purchased online on 7 March. A UAE resident for 33 years, Hassan works as a mechanical engineer for Combined Group Contracting Company.
Winning is not new to him – he previously drove away in a Mercedes-Benz S500 after securing a victory in the Finest Surprise Series 1853 in October 2023. A dedicated participant in Dubai Duty Free promotions for nine years, Hassan had long wished to win in the Millennium Millionaire draw.
“Thank you very much, Dubai Duty Free! I hope everyone gets a chance to win – this really changes people’s lives,” he said.
Joining Hassan in the million-dollar club is Sanjay Ghosh, a 57-year-old Indian national from Calcutta, India. Ghosh struck gold in Millennium Millionaire Series 496 with ticket number 3443, purchased online on 24 March. A captain on an oil tanker, Ghosh has been entering Dubai Duty Free draws since 2009.
Currently aboard a ship transiting the Singapore Strait, he sensed something special was about to happen.
“I had this feeling since yesterday when I received an email from Dubai Duty Free about the draw date. Then, when I saw a UAE number calling my mobile today while on the navigating bridge, I just knew it. And true enough—I finally won US$1 million!”
Grateful for his win, Ghosh added, “Thank you so much, Dubai Duty Free. I can finally retire and enjoy life with my family.”
Dubai Duty Free
The draw was conducted by Dubai Duty Free’s executive team, including Deputy Managing Director Salah Tahlak, SVP of Marketing Sinead El Sibai, and other senior officials.
Following the main draw, a special presentation was held for the previous Millennium Millionaire Series 493 winner, Tanaz C, an American national from Houston, Texas. Tanaz, who won US$1 million with ticket number 2912, is now the 14th American to claim the grand prize since the promotion began in 1999.
Receiving her ceremonial cheque from Salah Tahlak and other executives, she shared her excitement.
“I love that I won the Millennium Millionaire—it’s just fabulous. I hope to use this money for some great causes and, of course, indulge a little myself. Thank you, Dubai Duty Free, for this amazing promotion!”
Luxury car and bike winners
The Finest Surprise draw followed, awarding two luxury cars and two motorbikes to lucky participants.
Jayaram Kodialbail, an Indian national, won a Mercedes-Benz S500 (Graphite Grey Metallic) in Finest Surprise Series 1915 with ticket number 1107, purchased online on 23 March. Meanwhile, Mohamed Alhashmi, an Emirati national, secured a Range Rover SE P360 (Ostuni Pearl White) in Series 1916 with ticket number 0181, bought on 12 March.
In the motorbike category, Vijayan Elimarthy, an Indian national, won a BMW F 900 XR (Black Storm Metallic) in Series 618 with ticket number 0939, purchased on 3 March.
Ambeesh Premdas, a 43-year-old Indian national based in Rashidiya, took home an Indian 101 Scout (Sunset Red Metallic) in Series 619 with ticket number 1131, bought on 25 March. A participant for nearly five years, Premdas, who works as a technical advisor for Al Futtaim, was thrilled by his win.
“Thank you, Dubai Duty Free, for this amazing win!” he said.
The luxury car and motorbike winners were not immediately available for comment, but will undoubtedly be delighted when they hear the news.