Indian engineer from Jeddah wins $1 million in Dubai Duty Free draw
Luxury motorbikes awarded in latest Finest Surprise promotion
DUBAI – A long-time participant in Dubai Duty Free’s promotions has become the latest dollar millionaire after winning $1 million in the Millennium Millionaire draw held in Dubai this week.
Mohammed Saleem, a 61-year-old Indian mechanical engineer based in Jeddah, secured the winning ticket in Millennium Millionaire Series 542 after purchasing it online in April. Saleem, who has lived in the Saudi city since 2013, said the win marks the beginning of a new chapter as he now plans to retire and enjoy life with his family.
Originally from Bengaluru, Saleem has been participating in the promotion for the past six years. He said the prize money would help support his family in India, fund his children’s education and allow him to invest in a small business.
Lucky break
Saleem becomes the 274th Indian national to win the $1 million prize since Dubai Duty Free launched the Millennium Millionaire promotion in 1999. Indian nationals remain the largest group of participants in the long-running draw.
The latest draw was conducted by Dubai Duty Free Deputy Managing Director Salah Tahlak alongside senior officials including Dr Bernard Creed, Mona A Ali, Michael Schmidt and Sharon Beecha.
Dubai Duty Free said Saleem sent his best wishes from Saudi Arabia after receiving the news of his victory.
Motorbike winners
The draw also produced more celebrations in the Finest Surprise promotion, where two luxury motorbikes were awarded to lucky participants.
Abdel Khachnaoui, a Tunisian expatriate living in the UAE, won a BMW F 900 GS Adventure motorbike with a ticket purchased last year. Organisers said they were still attempting to contact him following the announcement.
Meanwhile, Emirati national Eid Ali added another major prize to his growing list of wins after securing an Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 motorbike.
Ali, who works for Dubai Police, previously won a Mercedes-Benz SL55 in May 2024 and said he now hopes to complete a hat-trick by winning the $1 million prize in the future.