In an extraordinary display of financial discipline, Indian expatriate Mohammed Rizwan CK has committed to preserving his portion of a Dh25 million Big Ticket Abu Dhabi jackpot for a full decade without withdrawal. The 36-year-old health and safety officer, residing in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia, was among sixteen colleagues who collectively purchased the winning ticket through a group participation arrangement.
Rizwan, originally from Kerala’s Kochi region, has explicitly rejected conventional post-win spending sprees on luxury items or immediate lifestyle upgrades. Instead, the oil rig worker has designated his entire share as a long-term retirement fund, emphasizing strategic investment growth across Abu Dhabi and Saudi markets.
“This capital represents future security rather than present consumption,” Rizwan stated. “I intend to invest it strategically in regions with proven growth potential to maximize returns before considering any personal use.”
The winning moment occurred unexpectedly while Rizwan was shopping with his family. “My WhatsApp group exploded with approximately sixty simultaneous messages,” he recounted. “Initially fearing an emergency, I discovered colleagues sharing the live draw footage. We rewatched the clip repeatedly in collective disbelief.”
The persistent lottery participant has engaged in Big Ticket drawings since 2016, initially with different colleague groups before establishing the current sixteen-member consortium in 2022. Despite the life-changing windfall, the group has postponed celebrations due to offshore work commitments, with many members still processing the emotional impact.
Rizwan’s approach reflects broader financial prudence among expatriate workers prioritizing long-term family security over immediate gratification. With parents residing in India and his nuclear family in Saudi Arabia, the prize represents intergenerational stability rather than temporary luxury.