By Rafiq Vayani
DUBAI: Dubai Duty Free rang in the New Year in spectacular fashion on New Year’s Eve with the latest draw of its iconic Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise promotion in Concourse B of Dubai International Airport, announcing three lucky winners who will step into 2026 as US$1 million millionaire, while four other winners will be driving away luxury vehicle each.
The first of the three fortunate ticket holders who were selected as winners of US$1 million each, marking an unforgettable start to the New Year is Mr. Adan Jose Camacho Sanchez, a Costa Rican national based in Costa Rica won a US$1 million in Millennium Millionaire Series 528 with ticket number 3884, which he purchased online on 17th December.
Mr Sanchez, who is the very first Costa Rican national to have won US$1 million in the Millennium Millionaire promotion since its inception in 1999, is currently uncontactable, but is expected to be delighted upon learning of his newfound fortune.
Joining Mr. Sanchez as a fellow US dollar millionaire is Mr. Santhosh Madhavan Chimminiyah Oyathi , a 51-year-old Indian national based in Sharjah who won in Millennium Millionaire Series 529 with ticket number 0470, which he purchased online on 20th December during the Dubai Duty Free 42nd Anniversary.
A UAE resident for 30 years, Mr. Oyathi has been a regular participant in Dubai Duty Free promotions for the past five years and shared the cost of the winning ticket with a friend.
Mr. Oyathi, who hails from Kerala is a father of two and works for a construction company in Sharjah.
“Thank you very much Dubai Duty Free. This has been the best news for the New Year!” he said.
Completing the trio of lucky dollar millionaires is Mr. Santhoshkumar Vazhakkodan, a 33-year-old Indian national based in Abu Dhabi, who won in Millennium Millionaire Series 530 with ticket number 2122, which he purchased online also during the Dubai Duty Free 42nd Anniversary on 20th December.
A UAE resident for 11 years, Mr. Vazhakkodan has been a regular participant in Dubai Duty Free promotions since 2003 and shared the winning ticket cost with seven family members.
Mr. Vazhakkodan, who also hails from Kerala, is a father of one and works as procurement manager for a contracting company in Abu Dhabi.
“Thank you so much for making my dream come true. This will be a great help for our family,” he said.
Today’s draw was conducted by Dubai Duty Free’s Managing Director, Ramesh Cidambi, Salah Tahlak, Deputy Managing Director, Sharon Beecham SVP – Purchasing, Zayed Al Shebli, SVP – Loss Prevention and Corporate Security, Mohammad Rafeek, VP – Finance, Munavvar Saqqaf, VP – System & IT, Mohamad Al Khaja, VP – Retail Support, Yasa Tahir, VP – HR Thankachan Varghese, Senior Manager- Retail Support, Salim Ibrahim, Senior Manager- Retail Sales, , Salim Dahman, Senior Manager – Marketing and Nasser Al Jasmi, Senior Manager – Exchange Bureau.
Following the Millennium Millionaire draw, a presentation to the previous Millennium Millionaire Series 525 winner was conducted.
Mr. Manu Van Droogenbroeck, a Belgian national based in Dubai, won US$1 million in the Millennium Millionaire Series 525 with ticket number 1810, becoming the second Belgian national to win the Millennium Millionaire promotion since its inception in 1999.
Mr. Van Droogenbroeck received his ceremonial cheque from Dubai Duty Free senior management team and commented, “I would like to thank Dubai Duty Free for this wonderful opportunity to attend the ceremonial cheque presentation and to witness the draw process. Once again, it has been an amazing year and I hope to win again.”
Following the Millennium Millionaire presentation, the Finest Surprise draw was conducted for four luxury vehicles. Joining in the draw were Aleksei Babin, Manager – Purchasing and Rajesh Advani, Operations Manager – Arrivals & Public Shops.
Mr. Fahmi Alshawwa, a 50-year-old Canadian national based in Dubai won a Range Rover SE P360 (Santorini Black) car with ticket number 1102 in the Finest Surprise Series 1944, which he purchased online on 17th December.
A Dubai resident for 23 years, Mr. Alshawwa has been a regular participant in Dubai Duty Free promotions for 20 years and purchased the winning ticket number 1102, based on his daughter’s birthday 2nd November.
Mr. Alshawwa is a father of three and is the founder of a 3D printing company in Dubai.
“This has kicked off my New Year in a phenomenal way! Thank you Dubai Duty Free!” he said.
Meanwhile, three winners who purchased their winning ticket during the Dubai Duty Free 42nd Anniversary on 20th December will each be driving away on a luxury motorbike.
Mr. Gopakumar Muralidharan Nair, a 48-year-old Indian national based in Dubai won an Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 (Grey Black) motorbike with ticket number 0976 in the Finest Surprise Series 650.
Mr. Nair, a Dubai resident of 23 years and real estate business owner, participates occasionally in Dubai Duty Free promotions, purchasing tickets three to four times in a year.
“This has been one of the best days of my life. Thank you Dubai Duty Free,” he said.
While Mr. Shakir Mohamood, a 43-year-old Indian national based in Abu Dhabi won a BMW F 900 GS (Black Storm Metallic) motorbike with ticket number 0146 in the Finest Surprise Series 651.
A regular participant in Dubai Duty Free promotions for more than 9 years, Mr. Mohamood is a father of one and works as a driver for Emirates transport in Abu Dhabi.
“Thank you Dubai Duty Free. The money I will get from selling this bike will bring good life.,” he said.
Lastly, Mr. Trevelyn Waung, a 47-year-old Indian national based in Dubai won an Aprilia Tuono V4 Factory 1100 (Black Red) motorbike with ticket number 0167 in the Finest Surprise Series 652.
Mr. Waung is a father of two and a regular participant in Dubai Duty Free promotions since 2004.
“Thank you Dubai Duty Free for this opportunity to win in your promotion. What a great way to welcome the New Year,” he said.
As 2026 begins, Dubai Duty Free continues its tradition of spreading excitement, hope and celebration across borders – proving once again that the New Year can begin with dreams fulfilled.
