Qatar Duty Free, a subsidiary of Qatar Airways, has announced the winners of its biggest ever raffle prize draw turning an Indian into an instant millionaire and two others into luxury car owners.

Lucky winner, Varkey Thomas, from India, won a whopping $1million in the second millionaire draw held at Doha International Airport.

“I am so happy, this really is a gift from God,” said Varkey after learning of the win.

Thomas, 55, who is married with four daughters, works as a general manager for an offshore company in Qatar. He said the news had brought “great joy” to his family.  The Thomas family have been in Doha for 23 years and bought the winning ticket before boarding flight QR 264 to Cochin to visit family in their hometown.

The Dollar Millionaire raffle was launched in May 2006 to offer passengers a chance to win big  since each draw is made after 5,000 tickets are sold. Departing and transiting passengers at Doha International Airport are able to purchase raffle tickets, each priced at QR950 ($261).

The prize-winning draw was held with two other draws for luxury cars – the first time Qatar Duty Free has held three raffles on the same day.

A BMW 650i convertible will be taken home by Mohammed Issa Al Omari, a Jordanian national living in Qatar. A Mercedes-Benz CLS 350 was won by Canadian Iyad Mohamad Saad, also living in Qatar.

Qatar Duty Free deputy general manager Krishna Kumari oversaw the draw, inviting passengers to pick the winning ticket.

“Qatar Duty Free has enjoyed tremendous success since launching the Qatar Riyal Millionaire Draw four years ago. With the newly-launched dollar millionaire draw last year, we have taken a huge step forward by increasing the prize money on offer by more than 300 per cent,” she said.

“Following the success of the first dollar millionaire draw, I look forward to welcoming many more instant millionaires over the next few months and years to come.”

Added Kumari: “The beauty of this draw is that it is not restricted to just one prize. Every time 5,000 tickets are sold, we will have a raffle draw at Doha International Airport, so this shows that the chances of becoming an instant millionaire are extremely high.

“This draw brings joy and excitement to the lives of a few lucky winners. We look forward to drawing more money-spinning winning tickets very soon.”-TradeArabia News Service