Indian accountant wins $1m in Dubai Duty Free raffle

An Indian accountant has now become a millionaire, while four others will drive away a luxury vehicle when their winning ticket numbers were drawn on Tuesday in Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise promotions held at Concourse A - Terminal 3 of Dubai International Airport.

Praveen Aranha, an Indian national based in Dubai became the latest $1 million winner in Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire in Series 312 with ticket number 3069.

A Dubai resident for 16 years, Aranha works as a Management Accountant at Atlantis The Palm.

A long-time participant to Dubai Duty Free’s promotions for 15 years now, Aranha was delighted of his win including his two colleagues who have equally shared with him the cost of the ticket.

Commenting on his win,  Aranha said: “I will save a portion for my daughter’s education who is currently in the United States studying business administration.

“This is an amazing win and I think everybody should give it a chance, expect the unexpected.”

Aranha is the 151st Indian national to have won $1 million since its inception in 1999.

Following the Millennium Millionaire draw, three other winners were announced in the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise draw.

Ronni Thomas, a 40 year old Indian national from Sharjah won a Mercedes Benz S560 (Diamond White) in Series 1732 with ticket number 1262. Thomas, a lead designer for Lamprell bought his lucky ticket online.

A regular participant to Dubai Duty Free’s promotions, “Thomas commented, I can’t believe I won! After so many attempts, I finally won something! Thank you very much Dubai Duty Free!’’

Marites B, a 35-year-old overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in Dubai won an Aprilia Dorsoduro motorbike (Adrenalinic Silver) in Series 380 with ticket number 0483. Ms. B bought 10 tickets for Series 380 when she checked in at Le Meridien Hotel on her birthday and saw for the first time the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise counter after frequently purchasing the tickets at the counter in Jumeirah Beach Hotel for 6 years.

A resident of Dubai for 9 years, Marites B couldn’t believe what she heard and commented, “I never lose hope, I couldn’t believe that I achieve it after so many years. Thank you so much Dubai Duty Free!”

Lastly, Frank Fisher, an Australian national won a Moto Guzzi Audace motorbike (Black) in Series 381 with ticket number 0181. Fisher who bought his winning ticket online is not reachable at the moment but will surely be surprised when he learns of the good news.

The Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise draw was conducted by Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice President for Corporate Services, Salah Tahlak, Mona Al Ali, Senior Vice President – Human Resources and Michael Schmidt, Senior Vice President – Retail Support.