Related: Car repair man wins life-changing Dh10 million
A Bangladeshi car garage owner who moved to the UAE nearly 40 years ago told of his joy after scooping Dh10 million ($2.7m) in the Abu Dhabi Big Ticket draw.
Shahed Ahmed Moulvifaiz, 55, has bought lottery tickets for more than two decades, but never thought he would win the grand prize.
He lives in Al Ain with his son, 25, where they run their family business. His other children, aged 15 to 26, live with his wife in Bangladesh.
"Our lives are going to change," Mr Moulvifaiz told The National moments after being declared the winner during a live draw on Saturday night.
“Our car garage was able to put a roof over our heads, feed us and pay for my children’s education, but Dh10 million will change our lives now and give an even more comfortable living.”
Mr Moulvifaiz said he plans on expanding his business, buying a house in his home country and spending on his youngest son’s education.
He said that he kept purchasing tickets in the hope that he would strike it lucky.
“I thought maybe one day I would win Dh1 million or even half a million, but now I’m a multimillionaire,” said Mr Moulvifaiz, who was attending a customer at his garage when he received the call from the organisers.
Raman Nambiar Mohan, an Indian expat in Bahrain, was the Dh5 million winner in last night’s draw.
The Abu Dhabi Big Ticket has been operating since 1992 and was first established at the Abu Dhabi International Airport.
In January, an Indian expat in Oman won Dh20 million.
UAE residents have been getting richer through other raffle draws in the country, too.
Earlier this year, a Filipina won Dh1m after wiring her father Dh186 through Al Ansari Exchange.
Last week, an Indian worker who earns Dh3,000 per month, won Dh2 million in the Mahzooz weekly draw.
What would you buy if you hit the jackpot?
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So how would you spend Dh100 million? To truly live life in the fast lane you need a luxury car in the garage. The limited edition Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ is for the most passionate of petrolheads, retailing at more than Dh14 million -
Once you have your flashy new set of wheels, it makes sense to get a personalised number plate. The V12 plate sold for a tidy Dh7.2 million at a previous RTA auction in Dubai. Satish Kumar / The National -
You are already feeling over the moon so why not fly to it? Commercial flights might be commonplace long in the future, but will be the preserve of the rich and famous in the short term at least as space entrepreneurs bid to corner the market -
Travel in style on board Etihad's The Residence. VIP flights come with a host of perks, including a comfy bed. -
When money is no object, why not splash out on a stay at a submarine hotel? This luxurious underwater establishment in St Lucia will set you back Dh1 million a night -
A boost to the bank balance affords one the opportunity to travel the world. How about a trip to Paris once you need a break from lazing around the mansion? -
For those looking to lay down roots in Dubai, there are plenty of spacious villas in Emirates Hills - dubbed the Beverly Hills of the UAE. One of the priciest properties in the area on the market is on sale for Dh14.5 million -
Any self-respecting millionaire has to have a yacht. While a super yacht might be out of the reach of even someone with Dh20 million, you can still pick up a top-of-the-line vessel and still have some change. Pawan Singh / The National -
Live the high life with a plush apartment in the world's tallest building, Burj Khalifa. Lavish pads are available for under Dh5 million. Satish Kumar / The National
