Latest news with #FinestSurprise
Gulf Today
4 hours ago
- Automotive
- Gulf Today
Bahraini wins $1m in Dubai Duty Free raffle draw, 4 others drive away luxury vehicles
A Bahraini national have been announced as the new dollar millionaire at the latest Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise draw, held on Wednesday at Concourse C of Dubai International Airport. Mohamed Tareq Mohamed Akbar, a Bahraini national based in Manama, Bahrain became $1 million winner, in Millennium Millionaire Series 504 with ticket number 3897 which he purchased online on May 25, 2025. Akbar who is the 4th Bahraini national to have won US$1 million in the Millennium Millionaire promotion since 1999, is currently uncontactable, but will no doubt be delighted to learn of his newfound fortune. Wednesday's draw was conducted by Dubai Duty Free Managing Director, Ramesh Cidambi, Sinead El Sibai, SVP - Marketing, Mona Al Ali. SVP – HR, Michael Schmidt, SVP - Retail, Zayed Al Shebli, SVP – Loss Prevention & Corporate Security, Mansoor Al Khaja, VP - Finance, Mohamad Al Khaja, VP - Retail Support, Thankachan Varghese, Senior Manager- Retail Support, Salim Ibrahim, Senior Manager – Retail Sales, Nasser Al Jasmi, Senior Manager - Exchange Bureau, Khalid Saleh, Senior Manager - Loss Prevention & Corporate Security and Mohsen Saleh Rashed, 1st Warrant Officer of Dubai Police. Officials of Dubai Duty Free conduct the Finest Surprise draw at Concourse C of Dubai International Airport on Wednesday. Following the Millennium Millionaire draw, the Finest Surprise draw was conducted for two luxury cars and motorbikes. Agop Kazanjian, a 45-year-old Armenian national based in Dubai won a Mercedes Benz S500 (Selenite Grey Metallic) car with ticket number 1024 in the Finest Surprise Series 1924, which he purchased online on May 16, 2025. A regular participant in Dubai Duty Free's promotion for 11 years now, Kazanjian is a father of two and works as a plant manager for a food manufacturing company. 'Finally, I'm very happy that I have won! Thank you Dubai Duty Free,' he said. Meanwhile, Stefan Terry, a 44-year-old British national based in Dubai won a Range Rover SE P360 (Ostuni Pearl White) car with ticket number 1840 in the Finest Surprise Series 1926, which he purchased in Concourse B on June 5, 2025. A resident of Dubai for 20 years, Terry has been a regular participant in Dubai Duty Free's promotion for 5 years now. He is a father of two and works as a managing director for an investment firm. 'Thank you so much Dubai Duty Free. This is absolutely unbelievable!' he said. Mohannad Abu Arja, a 41-year-old Jordanian national based in Dubai won an Aprilia Tuono V4 Factory 1100 (Black/Red) motorbike with ticket number 0742 in the Finest Surprise Series 625, which he purchased online on May 27, 2025. A regular participant in Dubai Duty Free's promotion for 5 years now, Abu Arja is a father of two and works as an IT project manager for a commercial bank. 'Thank you Dubai Duty Free. I'm very thankful for this win,' he said. Lastly, Muhammad Atif, a 23-year-old Pakistani national based in Hail, Saudi Arabia won a BMW F 900 GS Adventure (Black Storm Metallic) motorbike with ticket number 0371 in the Finest Surprise Series 626, which he purchased online on May 26, 2025. A first-time ticket buyer, Atif is a father of one and works as a family driver. 'I'm so lucky to win with my first ever ticket to Dubai Duty Free promotion,' he said.
Khaleej Times
14 hours ago
- Automotive
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: Man who won $1 million in Duty Free draw 'unreachable'
A Bahraini has won a million dollars at the latest Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise draw. Mohamed Tareq Mohamed Akbar, a Bahrain national based in Manama, became the new dollar millionaire at the lucky draw held today at Dubai International Airport. However, the happy news has not reached the winner yet, as Akbar, who is the 4th Bahraini national to have won $1 million in the Millennium Millionaire promotion since 1999, is currently uncontactable. Following the Millennium Millionaire draw, the Finest Surprise draw was conducted for two luxury cars and motorbikes. Luxury cars for Dubai residents Agop Kazanjian, a 45-year-old Armenian national based in Dubai won a Mercedes Benz S500 (Selenite Grey Metallic) car in the Finest Surprise Series 1924. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. A regular participant in Dubai Duty Free's promotion for 11 years now, Kazanjian is a father of two and works as a plant manager for a food manufacturing company. "Finally, I'm very happy that I have won! Thank you Dubai Duty Free,' he said. Meanwhile, Stefan Terry, a 44-year-old British national based in Dubai won a Range Rover SE P360 (Ostuni Pearl White) car. A resident of Dubai for 20 years, Terry has been a regular participant in Dubai Duty Free's promotion for 5 years now. He is a father of two and works as a managing director for an investment firm. "Thank you so much Dubai Duty Free. This is absolutely unbelievable!" he said. Mohannad Abu Arja, a 41-year-old Jordanian national based in Dubai won an Aprilia Tuono V4 Factory 1100 (Black/Red) motorbike in the Finest Surprise draw. A regular participant in Dubai Duty Free's promotion for 5 years now, Abu Arja is a father of two and works as an IT project manager for a commercial bank. "Thank you Dubai Duty Free. I'm very thankful for this win,' he said. Lastly, Muhammad Atif, a 23-year-old Pakistani national based in Hail, Saudi Arabia won a BMW F 900 GS Adventure (Black Storm Metallic) motorbike. A first-time ticket buyer, Mr. Atif is a father of one and works as a family driver. "I'm so lucky to win with my first ever ticket to Dubai Duty Free promotion,' he said.
Gulf Today
28-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
Indian national wins $1 million in Dubai Duty Free draw for second time
Pakistani and second time Indian nationals Win US1 Million in Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire Promotion Two others to drive away luxury vehicle A Pakistani and a second-time Indian nationals have been announced as winners of $1 million each in the latest Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise draw, held on Wednesday at Concourse B of Dubai International Airport. Kiran Batool, a Pakistani national based in Saudi Arabia became a $1 million winner, in Millennium Millionaire Series 502 with ticket number 2252 which he purchased online on May 5. Batool, who is the 27th Pakistani national to have won the Millennium Millionaire promotion since 1999, is currently uncontactable, but will no doubt be delighted to learn of his newfound fortune. Joining Batool as a fellow US dollar millionaire is Paul Jose Mavely, a 60-year-old Indian national based in Dubai who became the 11th person to win the Millennium Millionaire twice with his winning ticket number 3532 in Millennium Millionaire Series 503, which he purchased online on May 19. A resident of Dubai for 38 years now, Mavely shared the cost of the ticket with his 17 friends, who have been participating in the Dubai Duty Free promotion since 1999, alternating the name on the ticket for each series whenever they purchase. In November 2016, he previously won $1 million in Millennium Millionaire Series 228 with ticket number 0972, when he shared the ticket cost with his nine friends. Mavely is a father of two and works as a site supervisor for a small contracting company. 'I'm very thankful to Dubai Duty Free for this second win in your amazing promotion,' he said. Mavely who hails from Kerala is the 251st Indian national to have won $1 million in the Millennium Millionaire promotion since 1999, with Indian nationals being by far the biggest purchasers of tickets. Wednesday's draw was conducted by Dubai Duty Free Deputy Managing Director, Salah Tahlak, Sinead El Sibai, SVP - Marketing, Michael Schmidt, SVP - Retail, Sharon Beecham, SVP - Purchasing, Mohamad Al Khaja, VP - Retail Support, Thankachan Varghese, Senior Manager- Retail Support, Nasser Al Jasmi, Senior Manager - Exchange Bureau, Salim Dahman, Senior Manager – Marketing, and Khalid Saleh, Senior Manager - Loss Prevention & Corporate Security. Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise draw for a luxury car and motorbike. Following the Millennium Millionaire draw, the Finest Surprise draw was conducted for a luxury car and motorbike. Martin Rettich, a 30-year-old German national based in Bingen, Germany won a BMW 740i M Sport (Black Sapphire Metallic) car with ticket number 0939 in the Finest Surprise Series 1923, which he purchased at Concourse A on May 13. A first-time ticket buyer, Rettich works for a chimney sweeping company in Germany. 'It's overwhelming! I'm very happy and lucky to have won with my first ever ticket to your promotion,' he said. Lastly, Fathollah Mostafa Mokhtar, a 42-year-old Iranian national based in Dubai won a BMW F 900 XR (Light White/ Blue/ Red) motorbike, with ticket number 0043 in the Finest Surprise Series 624 which he purchased online on May 4. Mokhtar, a resident of Dubai for 20 years, has been a regular participant in Dubai Duty Free's promotion for the past 3 years, inspired by his brother's win of a BMW 750Li car in the Finest Surprise Series 1359 back in 2008. Mokhtar is a father of two and works in a car upholstery shop. "Thank you Dubai Duty Free! I can't wait to see m winning bike!" he said.
Khaleej Times
16-04-2025
- Automotive
- Khaleej Times
Dubai Duty Free announces newest dollar millionaire who bagged win after 20 years
The newest dollar millionaire at the latest Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise draw is Ronnie S, a 56-year-old British national based in Hong Kong. He bagged the win with ticket number 1844, which he purchased online on March 31. A regular participant in Dubai Duty Free's promotion for more than 20 years now, Ronnie, who works as a research fellow for a university in Hong Kong was over the moon when he saw and heard his name announced on the live draw in Dubai Duty Free official Facebook page. 'It's my first time watching the live draw on your Facebook page and it felt surreal to see and hear my name announcing that I've won. Thank you so much Dubai Duty Free! I dedicate this win to my darling wife so we can continue a wonderful life together,' he said. Following the Millennium Millionaire draw, the Finest Surprise draw was conducted for three luxury vehicles. Nawwaf Saad, a 65-year-old Saudi Arabian national based in Jeddah won a BMW 740i M Sport (Dravit Grey Metallic) car with ticket number 1037 in the Finest Surprise Series 1917 which he purchased online on 26th March. Born and raised in Jeddah and a regular participant in Dubai Duty Free's promotion since 2020, Saad is a multi-time car winner as he also previously won a Range Rover Sport Dynamic HSE P400 (Ostuni Pearl White) car, with ticket number 1437 in Finest Surprise Series 1878 in May 2024, a Mercedes Benz S500 (Mojave Silver) car, with ticket number 0691 in Finest Surprise Series 1843 in July 2023 and a BMW X6 M50i (Mineral White Metallic) car, with ticket number 0644 in Finest Surprise Series 1807 in June 2022. 'What can I say? You've been very generous, thank you for this fourth car Dubai Duty Free,' he said. Meanwhile, Thomas D'Silva, a 53-year-old Portuguese national based in Dubai won a Mercedes Benz G 63 (Polar White) car with ticket number 0983 in the Finest Surprise Series 1918 which he purchased in-store at Terminal 3 Arrivals. A resident of Dubai since 1996, D'Silva is a father of two and works as finance manager for an insurance company. 'This is a perfect gift for my daughter's birthday today! Thank you Dubai Duty Free,' he said. Lastly, Mohammad Fatani, a 69-year-old Saudi Arabian national based in Jeddah won a BMW F 900 R (Black Storm Metallic) motorbike with ticket number 0200 in the Finest Surprise Series 620 which he purchased online on March 25. A retired pilot and a father of 9, Fatani is a second time winner as he previously won a Porsche Panamera 4 car, with ticket number 0451 in Finest Surprise Series 1682 in April 2018. 'Thank you Dubai Duty Free for making a lot of people like me so happy with your amazing promotion,' he said.
Khaleej Times
03-04-2025
- Automotive
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: Two winners take home $1 million each in Duty Free Millionaire Draw
Two people have won $1 million in the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise draw, the organisation announced today. A UAE-based Syrian national took home the whopping amount with ticket number 2525, which he bought on March 7. Maed Hassan, a UAE resident for 33 years, has previously won a Mercedes Benz S500 in the Finest Surprise Series 1853 with ticket number 0068 in October 2023. The father of three was overjoyed, saying, 'Thank you very much Dubai Duty Free! I hope for everyone to be a winner, this will really change people's lives,' he said. Another winner, Sanjay Ghosh, is a 57-year-old Indian national based in Calcutta, India who won in Millennium Millionaire Series 496 with ticket number 3443. Ghosh is a father of one and works as captain for an oil on the ship, transiting Singapore strait he said; 'I was having this feeling since yesterday when I saw the email from DDF informing the draw date for Millennium Millionaire Series 496, that maybe the day has come. And today, while I was on the navigating bridge and saw this UAE number calling my mobile, I knew that this is it and true enough, I finally won US$1 million!' Following the Millennium Millionaire draw, the Finest Surprise draw was conducted for two luxury cars and motorbikes. Jayaram Kodialbail, an Indian national based in India won a Mercedes Benz S500 (Graphite Grey Metallic) car with ticket number 1107 in the Finest Surprise Series 1915 which he purchased online on 23rd March. Mohamed Al Hashmi, an Emirati national based in the UAE won a Range Rover SE P360 (Ostuni Pearl White) car with ticket number 0181 in the Finest Surprise Series 1916 which he purchased online on 12th March. Viajayan Elimarthy, an Indian national based in India won a BMW F 900 XR (Black Storm Metallic) motorbike with ticket number 0939 in the Finest Surprise Series 618 which he purchased online on 3rd March. Both the car winners along with the motorbike winner were not available for immediate comment. Ambeesh Premdas, a 43-year-old Indian national based in Rashidiya won an Indian 101 Scout (Sunset Red Metallic) motorbike with ticket number 1131 in the Finest Surprise Series 619 which he purchased online on 25th March. A regular participant in Dubai Duty Free's promotion for almost 5 years, Premdas is a father of one and works as a technical advisor. 'Thank you Dubai Duty Free for this amazing win!' he said.
