Dubai Duty Free: Pakistani, Indian expats win $1 million jackpot (VIDEO)
Cars, motorbike also won in Finest Surprise rounds
DUBAI: Two South Asian nationals – one Pakistani and one Indian – are the newest millionaires in the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire draw, held at Concourse D of Dubai International Airport.
Muhammad Gumman, a Pakistani national based in Saudi Arabia, was named the winner of Millennium Millionaire Series 498 with ticket number 2990, which he purchased online on 12 April. Gumman becomes the 26th Pakistani to win $1 million through the popular Dubai Duty Free (DDF) promotion since its inception in 1999. As of now, he remains uncontactable, but organisers are optimistic about reaching him soon.
Joining him in millionaire status is Biju Therool, a 49-year-old Indian national residing in Dubai. He won in Series 499 with ticket number 0437, which he bought on 19 April at Terminal 2, just before boarding a flight to Kerala for a vacation. Therool, a father of two and long-time UAE resident, has been participating in the draw for five years.
“I’m so happy with this win!” said Therool, who works for a Dubai-based retail chain. His win makes him the 248th Indian national to clinch the $1 million prize, reaffirming Indian nationals as the most frequent winners and largest group of ticket purchasers in DDF history.
Luxury wheels awarded
The excitement didn’t stop there. Following the million-dollar announcement, DDF conducted its Finest Surprise draw, awarding two luxury vehicles and a premium motorbike.
Among the lucky few was Albert Walraven, a Dutch national based in the UAE, who secured a Range Rover SE P360 (Batumi Gold) in Series 1919 with ticket number 1171. Purchased online on 5th April, this isn’t Walraven’s first win – he previously bagged a Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe in 2012, making this his second luxury car win with DDF. He is also currently uncontactable.
More South Asian winners
Another Pakistani national, Saadullah Malik, 39, won a Land Rover Defender 110 V8 525 Edition (Santorini Black) in Series 1921. Malik, a telecom professional based in Riyadh, purchased his ticket (1066) at Concourse D on 18th April while returning home. A father of three, Malik has been a regular participant since 2018.
“I can’t wait to see my winning car,” he said in his response to the thrilling news.
Motorbike goes to Indian expat
Finally, the draw for a motorbike crowned Soma Nagaraj, an Indian national based in the UAE, the winner of an Indian 101 Scout (Sunset Red Metallic). His winning ticket 0409 was purchased online on 8th April as part of Finest Surprise Series 621. Nagaraj was not immediately available for comment.