What began as a lucky break in a packed UAE car park has ended with an Indian expat pocketing Dh150,000, thanks to a spontaneous Big Ticket buy during the Eid Al Adha holidays.

UAE resident Vishnu Unnithan, from Kerala, never imagined that finding a rare parking spot would spark a chain of events that would change his life overnight.

A friend unexpectedly found a parking spot in a crowded area. He took it as a lucky sign and encouraged Unnithan to buy a Big Ticket.

And just days later, that offhand suggestion turned into a six-figure jackpot. Two other Indian expats also scooped Dh150,000 each in the same draw.

After 10 years of buying tickets, it finally paid off

Unnithan, who works in sales, said he has been buying Big Ticket tickets together for nearly a decade with friends. Their persistence finally paid off when Unnithan’s ticket was drawn in the Series 276 weekly e-draw held in Abu Dhabi.

Seven friends, one win

Unnithan won’t be keeping the prize all to himself. True to their pact, the Dh150,000 prize will be split among seven friends. So what will he do with his share?

He plans to support his family with his win and will also use part of it to travel.

Could lightning strike twice?

Unnithan’s winning ticket is still in the running for the Dh25 million Big Ticket Grand Prize, with the draw set for July 3.