An Indian expat won 20 million dirhams ($5,445,169) in the Big Ticket raffle held in Abu Dhabi, the media reported.

Abdussalam NV, originally from Kerala and now resides in Muscat, bought the winning ticket online on December 29, 2020, Gulf News reported on Monday.

Big Ticket officials could not initially locate the winner and put out a notice for assistance.

Speaking to Gulf News on Monday, Abdussalam said: "The organisers were trying a different international code and perhaps that is why they could not reach me."

The father of two, he said a good portion of the money will go into securing his children's future.

"It is a big news and I want to save it for my future," he added.

Besides Abdussalam, another Indian expat. Saju Thomas, won 3 million dirhams in the Big Ticket raffle.

(IANS)