An Indian has won AED 7 million (₹12.7 crore) in a raffle in the UAE, media reports said on Thursday.
Anil Varghese Theveril, 50, who works in Kuwait as an executive assistant, said he hit the jackpot on the ticket number that matched with his son’s date of birth, Khaleej Times reported.
He was declared the top winner in the Big Ticket millionaire draw held at the Abu Dhabi International Airport.
The eight winners of the jackpot include six Indians, each of whom won AED 1 million (₹1.8 crore). A Bangladesh and a Moroccan were also among the winners.
Mr. Varghese has been working in Kuwait for the last 20 years. “I purchased the ticket online and chose the number 11197 because my son’s date of birth is 11/97,” he said. “I am trying my luck with Big Ticket for the second time. I never expected to win. The reality is still to sink in,” he said. Mr. Varghese’s son is pursuing an undergraduate course in Kerala.
He said he has gone through tough times recently.
“I am glad it is all over. I have to sit down and figure out what to do with the prize money,” said Varghese.
