UAE Dh10 million Mahzooz draw: Worker becomes multi-millionaire

Dubai resident Nelson, a worker, would have had to work 1,428 months (119 years) without spending a single dirham to make Dh5 million. And last week, he bagged that amount in a single night as he became the joint winner of the Dh10 million Mahzooz grand prize.

“My family’s birth dates helped me land the Dh5 million,” said an overjoyed Nelson, who works as a machine operator at a wet wipes production unit.

Nelson from the Philippines and Shanavas from India are the two participants whose lives have changed overnight, after matching five out of the five winning numbers, which were 7,9,17,19,21.

Nelson has been participating in the Mahzooz draw for the last 18 months with the same set of numbers. “These are the birthdates of my family members. My date of birth is 7; while my wife’s is 9, daughter’s 17, son’s 19, and the youngest son’s, 21,” said Nelson.

All of Nelson’s friends and family members are aware of his lucky number. “I had no knowledge that I had won. I learned about it when my friends and wife called me up to inform me as they knew about the numbers I participate with usually,” said Nelson.

He is still in disbelief and has not decided on the course of expenditure or investment. “I may buy a paddy field in the Philippines and construct a home for myself. In the future, I will try to set up a business of wet wipes.”

His daughter has requested a car to commute to college, he said.

The other Dh5 million winner, Shanavas, said he selected the numbers randomly. He has been in the UAE for the last 15 years and has plans to invest in a business here. “I have a few financial liabilities, and my priority is to settle them,” said the new multimillionaire.

He has been participating in the Mahzooz draw for the last 18 months but only won Dh35 once previously. “I got a call after I won the Dh5 million, but I thought it was a prank call. The next morning, I checked my inbox and was shocked,” said Shanavas.

The fleet controller at a rent-a-car firm, Shanavas, had a firm belief that he would win the grand prize one day. “I did not know when, but I always had that gut feeling,” said Shanavas.

“My colleagues are very excited, and they have also started participating in the Mahzooz draw,” added Shahnawaz.

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