Two Indian expats from Kerala have become the latest winners of the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire promotion, with each taking home the $1 million (approximately ₹9.5 crore) grand prize in the latest draw held on Wednesday.
According to a report by Khaleej Times, 48-year-old Kabir Poovathingal and 30-year-old Mohammed Shibil Thayyil were declared the newest millionaires, taking the total number of Indian winners in the Millennium Millionaire promotion to 279 since its launch in 1999.
Kabir, who has been living in Dubai for the past 22 years, purchased his winning ticket online on June 13. He has been participating in Dubai Duty Free promotions for more than a decade.
The father of five works as an aviation operator in Abu Dhabi. Speaking after the win, he described it as “a wonderful and life-changing experience” and encouraged others to participate in the promotion.
Mohammed Shibil Thayyil, another Kerala native, moved to Dubai in October 2023 and bought his winning ticket online on June 18.
The 30-year-old, who works in sales at the Sharjah Airport International Free Zone, got married only last month. Remarkably, he won the $1 million prize with just his second-ever ticket in the Dubai Duty Free draw.
“You have changed my life! This is the greatest news ever! Thank you so much, Dubai Duty Free,” Thayyil said after being informed of his win.
According to Khaleej Times, Kabir and Thayyil became the 278th and 279th Indian nationals to win the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire promotion.
Another Indian drives home a luxury Mercedes
The celebrations continued in the Finest Surprise draw, where another Indian expat won a luxury Mercedes-Benz.
Kaushal Ved, a 39-year-old Indian residing in Muscat, Oman, won a Mercedes-Benz S500 after purchasing his ticket online on June 25.
Ved, who works as an insurance sales agent, has been participating in Dubai Duty Free promotions for the past five years.
“Amazing! I have been buying tickets every month, usually a combination of Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise tickets. I never expected to win, but now it has happened. I will continue buying tickets and hope to win the $1 million next time,” he said.
The Finest Surprise draw also saw Kuwait-based Canadian national Mahmoud Harissi win an Aprilia RSV4 1100 motorcycle.
Kerala woman earlier won a free apartment
Earlier this month, another Kerala native made headlines after 27-year-old Aysha Ameer, an Indian expat living in Dubai, became the first winner of a free apartment under Dubai’s newly launched “Win Your Home in Dubai” campaign.
She won a studio apartment developed by Binghatti through a citywide lucky draw organised by the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) and Dubai Chambers.
