Kerala Man Hits Rs 8.5 Crore Jackpot For 2nd Time In Dubai Lottery

An Indian resident in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has struck gold, with his $1 million (approximately Rs 8.5 crore) win in the popular Dubai Duty-Free Millennium Millionaire contest. It was his second victory within a decade.

Paul Jose Mavely, 60 years old from Kerala, took home the latest Dubai Duty-Free Millennium Millionaire draw (Series 503), according to its official Instagram handle of the draw.

“Yet another millionaire moment-again! Congratulations to Mr Mavely of India for scooping his second US$1 million with Dubai Duty-Free today!” it stated.

Social media users were overjoyed with Mr Mavely’s new jackpot win. One wrote, “Congratulations I need to know the secrets of Indian luck.”

“Congratulations,” another stated.

Mr Mavely has lived in Dubai for the past 38 years and is a site supervisor for a small contracting firm. He becomes the 11th competitor in the competition’s history to have won twice, previously winning the same prize in November 2016.

Since the Dubai Duty-Free draw started in 1999, Mr Mavely has been taking part every time, states Khaleej Times. He and his friends have split the cost of tickets over the years.

He donated ticket number 3532, which he bought online on May 19, to his 17 friends in celebration of his latest win.

After his second win, the two-time father expressed his gratitude to the draw organisers. “I’m highly thankful to Dubai Duty-Free for this second win,” said Mr Mavely.

Tickets for the lottery to win a maximum of $1 million can be purchased at AED 1,000 (approximately Rs 22,700), with 5 per cent VAT deducted, at the duty-free outlets of Dubai International Airport or online through the Dubai Duty-Free website.

All nationalities can participate in the draw, which is conducted twice a month, and one does not have to be physically present in Dubai during that time. Every draw is capped at 5,000 tickets. A minimum of 251 Indians won this lottery since it started in 1999.

In May earlier, another Kerala man aged 52 won $1 million in the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire draw. Venugopal Mullacheri is an IT support expert and Ajman resident of the United Arab Emirates.

Mr Mullacheri bought his winning ticket at the April 23 Dubai airport. The money was described by him as a “lifesaver,” and winning the lottery as having a “massive burden” lifted off his shoulders.