An Indian national, Alen TJ, has become the latest Dubai Duty Free millionaire after winning $1 million in the Millennium Millionaire draw held at Dubai International Airport on Wednesday. Alen, 34, who works as a chief engineer at Jebel Ali Resort & Hotel, has been living in Dubai since 2013.
According to a Khaleej Times report, he purchased his winning ticket, number 487, online on November 8. This win marks the 240th time an Indian has claimed the Dubai Duty Free jackpot. A father of one, Alen has been participating in the draw for three years. Expressing his gratitude, he said, “Thank you, Dubai Duty Free. You have given many people like me a wonderful opportunity to change our lives for the better.”
In the subsequent Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise draw, three other lucky winners took home luxury vehicles.
Jasem Fathi, a Dominican expat, won a Mercedes Benz GLS 450 4M in Obsidian Black with ticket number 1110. This makes him the first Dominican national to win in the Finest Surprise promotion since it began in 1989. Fathi, who purchased his ticket on November 9 at Concourse B, is yet to be contacted.
Another winner, 40-year-old Indian national Pradhul Divakar, won a BMW R 1250 R motorbike (Triple Black) with ticket number 754. Divakar, an IT application manager in Sharjah, started participating in the promotion only a few months ago. Overjoyed, he shared, “I wasn’t expecting to win this early, but I guess luck is on my side. Thank you so much, Dubai Duty Free!”
The final winner, Aji Balakrishnan, a 52-year-old Indian security officer at Transguard Group LLC, won an Indian Scout Bobber motorbike (Black Smoke) with ticket number 768. Aji, who has been living in Dubai for 13 years, purchased his ticket on November 9. Reflecting on the experience, he said, “Dubai Duty Free is a wonderful platform giving us an opportunity to win amazing prizes.”
