German expat wins $1 million in Dubai Duty Free raffle draw

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

2022 started on a high note for six lucky individuals today when Dubai Duty Free announced the latest winners of its famous Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise promotions at the draw held in Concourse C of Dubai International Airport.

Mr. Rolf Hartung, a 67-year-old German national based in Dubai became the first US$1 million dollar winner of the year when his ticket number 0176 was drawn in Millennium Millionaire Series 378. He had purchased his ticket online on 17th December 2021.

A resident of Dubai for twenty years, Mr. Hartung is a father of two and works as a Director for Al Zahra Hospital. Whenever he traveled Mr. Hartung purchased tickets at Dubai Duty Free, but given travel restriction in the past two years he has since reverted to buying tickets online (www.dubaidutyfree.com) and was delighted and surprised to receive the call today about his US$1 million win

“This is not only a great joy but a great honour. I’m really surprised, I never thought that I would win one day. Thank you, Dubai, and Dubai Duty Free, what a great start for the new year.” he said.

Mr. Hartung is the 7th German national to have won US$1 million since the start of the Millennium Millionaire promotion in 1999.

Joining Mr. Hartung as a fellow US dollar millionaire is Ms. Tajinder Dhanjal, a 45-year-old Kenyan national based in Nairobi who was also announced as the winner of US$1 million in Millennium Millionaire 379 with ticket number 1304, which she purchased online on 31st December 2021.

A regular participant in Dubai Duty Free's promotion for 10 years now, Ms. Dhanjal is a housewife and mother of two.

“Thank you very much Dubai Duty Free! This is a real blessing from God, I cannot explain how much I appreciate this.” she said.

Ms. Dhanjal is the 3rd Kenyan national to have won in Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire promotion since 1999.

Today's draws were conducted by Dubai Duty Free's Executive Vice Chairman & CEO, Colm McLoughlin, Sinead El Sibai, SVP - Marketing, Mona Al Ali, SVP - Human Resources and Michael Schmidt, SVP – Retail.

Following the Millennium Millionaire draw, the Finest Surprise draw was conducted for one luxury car and three motorbikes. Joining in the draw line-up was Rajesh Advani, Duty Manager.

Mr. Hashem Almousawi, a 63-year-old Kuwaiti national based in Mansouriya, Kuwait, won a Mercedes Benz S500 (Hi-Tech Silver) car, with ticket number 1298 in Finest Surprise Series 1792, which he purchased on 15th December 2021 on his way to Kuwait following a vacation in Dubai.

A regular participant in Dubai Duty Free's promotion for 15 years now, Mr. Almousawi is a retired banker and a father of two.

“I love Dubai and Dubai Duty Free. Thank you very much for this amazing win!” he said.

Mr. Prakash Lakshmanan, a 34-year-old Indian national based in Sharjah, won an Aprilia Tuono 660 (Black/Red) motorbike, with ticket number 0309 in Finest Surprise Series 480, which he purchased online on 3rd December 2021.

A resident of the UAE for 13 years now, Mr. Lakshmanan is a father of one and works as an offshore structural designer for an oil and gas company in Sharjah.

A regular participant in Dubai Duty Free's promotion for 5 years, Mr. Lakshmanan was thrilled to win his dream bike. 

“I’ve been buying tickets to your promotion for a long time, glad to finally win. Many thanks Dubai Duty Free.” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Rajeshwar Padkanti, an Indian national based in the UAE, won an Indian Super Chief (Black/Smoke) motorbike, with ticket number 0343 in Finest Surprise Series 481, which he purchased online on 10th December 2021.

Mr. Padkanti is currently uncontactable and will surely be surprised to hear of his win.

Lastly, Mr. Saleh Al Shawa, a 50-year-old Jordanian national based in Dubai, won a BMW R 1250 R (Mineral Grey Metallic) motorbike, with ticket number 0938 in Finest Surprise Series 482, which he purchased online on 21st December.

A regular participant in Dubai Duty Free's promotion for more than 15 years now, Mr. Al Shawa is a father of two.

“Thank you for the amazing win, amazing news for the New Year.” he said.