Watch: Indian expat in Qatar wins $1 million Dubai Duty Free jackpot
Online ticket brings life-changing win on anniversary eve
DUBAI – An Indian expatriate living in Qatar has struck gold in Dubai Duty Free’s latest Millennium Millionaire draw, securing a $1 million prize at Dubai International Airport.
The winning announcement came during Series 527, held on the eve of Dubai Duty Free’s 42nd anniversary.
Dubai Duty Free millionaire
Jomy John, a 32-year-old draftsman and Doha resident, was declared the winner with ticket number 4002. He bought the ticket online on December 5 and has been participating for the past two years. John shared the cost with nine colleagues, rotating ticket names among the group throughout their participation in the long-running promotion.
Dubai Duty Free confirmed that John is the 267th Indian national to win the Millennium Millionaire prize since its launch in 1999. Indians remain the largest group of ticket buyers in the draw, reflecting sustained interest across the region.
Speaking after the announcement, John described the win as a collective moment for his team, highlighting the shared nature of the purchase and the patience involved in sticking with the promotion over time. Dubai Duty Free officials noted that group buying has become an increasingly common approach among participants hoping to improve their odds.
The draw was conducted by Dubai Duty Free Managing Director Ramesh Cidambi, alongside Deputy Managing Director Salah Tahlak and senior executives from marketing, human resources, retail, finance and corporate security. The ceremony took place at Dubai International Airport, the traditional venue for the promotion’s major announcements.
Previous winners
In the earlier draws held on December 10, two participants had each won $1 million. Ahmed Al Junaibi, a 43-year-old Emirati based in Sharjah, claimed the prize in Series 526 with ticket number 0193, purchased online on November 27. He became the 18th Emirati to win since the draw began.
Series 525 saw Belgian expatriate Manu van Droogenbroeck, 44, win with ticket number 1810, bought online on November 10. A Dubai resident for nearly three years, he became the second Belgian national to join the list of Dubai Duty Free dollar millionaires.