Indian living in Nigeria wins $1m in Dubai raffle draw

An Indian national based in Nigeria has joined the long list of $1 million winners when the latest Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire draw was held on Wednesday at Terminal 2 in Dubai International Airport.

Rahul Julka, a 53 year-old Indian national based in Port Harcourt in Nigeria became the latest dollar millionaire in Millennium Millionaire Series 352 with ticket number 4965, which he purchased online on 17th February.

A regular participant in Dubai Duty Free’s promotion for the last 14 years, the father of two Julka used to live in Dubai before moving to Nigeria in 2009 and works as a General Manager for Clariton Hotel and Resorts.

Rahul Julka with his family.

“I always trust Dubai Duty Free’s draw as it is straight forward and honest. I always feel confident that I will get lucky one day and today is that day, so I encourage people to patronise this amazing promotion,” he said.

When asked on his initial plans with his win, he said “This will certainly go a long way in terms of my financial obligations and preparation for my retirement as well as securing my children’s future.”

Julka who hails from Mumbai in India is the 177th Indian national to have won $1 million since the start of the Millennium Millionaire promotion in 1999. Indian nationals make up the highest number of Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire ticket buyers.

Following the Millennium Millionaire draw the Finest Surprise draw was conducted for one luxury car and two motorbikes.

Rahul takes a selfie near the pyramids of Giza. 

Ken Ikeda, a 40 year-old Japanese national based in Tokyo in Japan won a Range Rover Sport HST 3.0 400HP (Fuji White) car, with ticket number 0704 in Finest Surprise Series 1768, which he purchased online on 3rd February.

Ikeda who first started buying tickets in Dubai Duty Free’s promotion in November 2020 is a father of two and runs an entertainment company in Tokyo.

“It’s amazing. Thank you so much Dubai Duty Free,” he said.

Hibri Hani Tsuruta, a 53 year-old Japanese national based in Abu Dhabi won a BMW S 100 R (HP Edition) motorbike, with ticket number 0768 in Finest Surprise Series 444, which he purchased online on 8th February.

A resident of Abu Dhabi for 12 years, Tsuruta is a father of two and works as a head of training and development department for Abu Dhabi Oil Company (ADOC)

A regular participant in Dubai Duty Free’s promotion for 12 years now, Tsuruta who also hails from Tokyo usually watches the live draw on Dubai Duty Free’s Facebook page but today decided not to watch it for the first time and was understandably surprised when he received a call from Dubai Duty Free informing him of his win.

“Dubai Duty Free is doing a great job, this promotion is a wonderful opportunity, you just have to be patient. From the bottom of my heart, thank you Dubai Duty Free,” he said.

Lastly, Noushad Theayeakandoth, a 37 year-old Indian national based in Dubai, won a BMW F 900 XR (Light White) motorbike, with ticket number 0779 in Finest Surprise 445, which he purchased on 22nd February.

A regular participant in Dubai Duty Free’s promotion for 12 years now, Theayeakandoth is a resident of Dubai for 18 years and works a driver for Bin Zayed Group.

 “I’ve been trying my luck for a long time, finally it happened. Thank you Dubai Duty Free,” he said.