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Indian, Lebanese turn instant millionaires

Abdul Karim Ajeer, a 38-year-old father of two, who has worked for the Dubai Ports Authority for the past five years, bought his ticket from Dubai International Airport when he travelled home to India for his annual vacation. This was the first ever ticket he has bought in the promotion and was speechless when he received the life-altering telephone call from DDF telling him of his good fortune.

To mark the milestone event of the fiftieth Millennium Millionaire, DDF decided to make it a double day of winners by also conducting the draw for Series 51. This time it was lucky for Lebanese national, Abi Ghanem Fares, holder of ticket No. 2965 in Series 51. Fares, who lives in Lebanon, was ecstatic upon hearing the news that he just became a $1 million richer! A lottery consultant, he purchased his ticket when travelling to Dubai on business.

When asked for his initial reaction, Fares exclaimed: “Winning Dubai Duty Free's Millennium Millionaire Promotion is truly fantastic! It's the greatest news I have ever heard. I have never won before in my whole life."

Following the double excitement of the two Millennium Millionaire draws, a presentation was made to Jordanian national, Alaa Arif Batayneh, winner of the $1 million in Series No. 49. Batayneh was officially presented with the ceremonial cheque by DDF's Managing Director, Colm McLoughlin together with Dubai Duty Free's Senior officials. Following the presentation, the draw was conducted for the latest Finest Surprise luxury car winners.

A medical student from Sharjah, Justin Wilson, is now a proud owner of a Mercedez Benz S500. Meanwhile, Jannot Bertrand, an Air France steward for 24 years couldn't believe that he had won a Harley Davidson.

The third Finest Surprise winner of the day, Dubai-based sales manager from Microsoft, Zaid Abunwar was delighted to learn that his ticket would make him a proud owner of the sporty Porsche 911 Targa.

Following the draw, the presentation was made to previous winners. Kate Weir, a French national based in Paris, won a Porsche 911 Carrera Targa. Weir accompanied by her fiancee, was delighted to received her stunning speed yellow Porsche, while Mohammed Ameerudeen, an Abu Dhabi based Indian national was also excited to receive the keys of his Jaguar XJ8 which he won in Series 1194 with ticket No. 0708 drawn last July 26.

Another winner, Salman Al Khalifa had taken a few days off from his busy schedule in the office to receive his Harley Davidson FatBoy. Al Khalifa will take his bike to Bahrain.

The winning ticket numbers were drawn by Dubai Duty Free's Managing Director Colm McLoughlin with senior officials Salah Tahlak, Director Corporate Communications and DTC, Sinead El Sibai, Manager Events, Advertising and Media Relations, Sean Staunton, Manager, Operations and Michael Schmidt, Manager Retail.

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