Kazakh tourist wins apartment in Dubai, says 'I thought it was a scam, my hands were shaking'

Shynggyskhan Rysbek, a 34-year-old videographer living in Almaty, Kazakhstan, could never have imagined that a raffle he entered during a vacation in Dubai would change his life. Under the 'Win Your Home' campaign organized in cooperation with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism and the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, he had a chance to win a studio apartment in weekly draws held based on spending at participating brands in the city. When Rysbek first received the message that he had won the draw, he ignored it thinking it was a scam attempt common nowadays, and even considered blocking the senders.

Rysbek, whose first reaction upon learning he was the winner was suspicion, was having a normal workday and shooting video in Almaty when he received the message. Although he decided not to answer calls from different numbers, labeling them as 'scams,' he began to take the situation seriously after persistent calls from officials of the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE). Rysbek asked the officials for proof, and even after seeing official documents proving he had won the studio apartment, he struggled to accept the reality of the situation, stating that his hands were shaking from the shock.

Rysbek stated that he had gone to Dubai on vacation with his family and friends, and on the last day of their holiday, he tried his luck by making a shopping of 5.599 Dirhams, adding that he completely forgot about the matter after uploading their receipts to the system. He emphasized that he was unaware of this campaign until he received the news after returning to Kazakhstan and that the entire process was a coincidence. The family, who currently own their own home in Almaty but did not even dream of owning real estate in Dubai, realized that this unexpected legacy was a huge investment for their future.

This event was not just a financial gain, but also fundamentally changed Rysbek's perspective on Dubai, and he began to see the city as a potential place to live. As a videographer like himself, Rysbek considers evaluating career opportunities in Dubai, stating that he has always admired the city for its cleanliness, safety, and modern structure. His friends and family also increased their interest in Dubai after this win, and Rysbek began recommending the city to more people by sharing the miracle he experienced with his surroundings.

Shynggyskhan Rysbek, who went to the United Arab Emirates again last weekend to take delivery of the winning apartment, stated that this vacation went down in history as one of the most unforgettable moments of his life. Rysbek, proving with his own experience that legacies and surprises can really happen and how a small decision can positively affect a person's life, added that he feels great happiness and gratitude for opening the door to these new opportunities for his family.