Indian expat has hit the jackpot at a raffle draw. Dubai resident Yohannan Simon, after spending 13 long years in the UAE, has turned into a millionaire.

Simon, from the South Indian state of Kerala, won Dh10 million at the Big Ticket raffle draw held in Abu Dhabi International Airport on Friday morning.

When organisers called Simon to congratulate him, he thought it was a prank. However, when he was provided with details of his ticket number (041614), Simon realised this was his lucky day.

"I was totally surprised by the call. I thought it was a fake call but I later I realised that I actually won. This is great! I am very happy. God has blessed me after 13 years in the UAE."

Simon bought the ticket online on July 8. On three previous occasions, he and his friends had bought the tickets together. However, this time he purchased it on his own.

Simon has recently started his own business in Dubai and will now expand it further. He has already made plans to donate an amount to a charity back in Kerala.

Simon is a widower with three children, including twins. He has a word of advice for raffle draw hopefuls.

"Never lose hope. Stay there tight and try your very best. One day it would be your time to shine."

The next draw is for Dh12 million on September 3 and tickets can be bought online at www.bigticket.ae, or in-store at Abu Dhabi International Airport, Al Ain Duty Free and City Terminal Abu Dhabi.

9 out of 10 winners from India

Apart from a lone Syrian in the top 10 list, Indians dominated the list of winners.

The other lucky names were: Abu Dhabi resident Anvar Kunju (Dh100,000, ticket: 130338), Al Ain resident Kappu Bhatt (Dh90,000, ticket: 103821), Vishal Wadkar from Dubai (Dh80,000, ticket: 080893), Taisir Nasr Sabih from Syria and lives in Abu Dhabi (Dh70,000, ticket: 005978), Biju Chiramel is from Ajman (Dh50,000, ticket: 056232), Showkoth Shariff from Sharjah (Dh30,000, ticket: 052044), Rakesh Kalam from Abu Dhabi (Dh20,000, ticket: 113243), Sreejith Sreeraman lives in Bahrain (Dh10,000, ticket: 059385) and Shaji Kunnannari is from Dubai (Dh10,000, ticket: 061280).

Also, Jayson Baloloy from the Philippines won a Land Rover luxury vehicle.

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