Abu Dhabi Big Ticket: NRI Malayalees become millionaires overnight

ABU DHABI: Five expatriates became millionaires overnight, winning the consolation prize of 1 million dirhams (about Rs 2.5 crore) each in the Abu Dhabi Big Ticket Series 286 draw. Among them are Malayalees Murali Vazhayil, who works in Oman, and Leo Lawrence, an account manager in Ajman.

Murali Vazhayil, 50, works as a supervisor in Oman. He has been trying his luck on Big Ticket for the past eight years. He used to buy tickets in four different groups of 20 people. For the past nine months, Murali has been trying his luck on his own. Murali said he will now divide the prize money among 20 people and will use the remaining for his family's needs.

Leo Lawrence has been living in Ajman with his family since 2024. On the morning of the draw, Leo prophesied something good coming his way and even told his wife this. Leo was on his way to take his daughter to the doctor when the big news of the win reached him. Leo bought the ticket with ten colleagues. Leo said that he had recently bought a villa and the prize money would help him repay the loan.