Armenian national wins $1m in Dubai Duty Free raffle draw

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

An Armenian national was announced as the latest $1 million winner in the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire at the draw held on Tuesday at Concourse A of Dubai International Airport.

Abraham Melkonian, a 50 year old Armenian national based in Dubai became the latest $1 million winner in Millennium Millionaire Series 375 with ticket number 4351, which he purchased online on Nov.18.

A regular participant in Dubai Duty Free’s promotion since its inception, Melkonian is a father of three and runs a heavy equipment trading business both in Dubai and Sharjah.

A resident of Dubai for 32 years, Melkonian who previously won a BMW 750 LI XDrive (Mineral White) car, with ticket number 1261 in Finest Surprise Series 1720 in June 2019 was delighted to receive another call from Dubai Duty Free informing him that he won $1 million this time.

“Thank God and thank you very much Dubai Duty Free! I am grateful for the second opportunity to win in your amazing promotion,” he said.

When asked on his initial win with his win, he said, “I will buy a bigger house, improve my business and do some charity works.”

Melkonian is the first Armenian national to have won $1 million since the start of the Millennium Millionaire promotion in 1999.

Tuesday's Millennium Millionaire draw was conducted by Dubai Duty Free's Executive Vice Chairman & CEO, Colm McLoughlin, COO Ramesh Cidambi, Sinead El Sibai, SVP – Marketing and Michael Schmidt, SVP – Retail.

Following the Millennium Millionaire draw, the Finest Surprise draw was conducted for two luxury vehicles. Joining in the draw line-up was Mona Al Ali, SVP - Human Resources.

Christiane Zeitz, a 61 year old German national based in Velbert, Germany won a BMW 760Li xDrive (Black Sapphire Metallic) car, with ticket number 0049 in Finest Surprise Series 1789, which she purchased at Dubai Duty Free Finest counter on her way back to Germany