UAE: Pakistani expat wins ‘Dream Home’ draw, dismisses call as scam

UAE: Pakistani expat wins ‘Dream Home’ draw, dismisses call as scam

Numan Khan Muhammad Bashir (right) with his family. Photo: Supplied

Published: Wed 10 Jan 2024, 8:47 PM Last updated: Wed 10 Jan 2024, 9:19 PM

Numan Khan Muhammad Bashir is extremely cautious when receiving calls from unfamiliar numbers, and his vigilance peaked when a caller claimed him as the winner of a 'Dream Home'. The Pakistani national remained sceptical during the first call from an Al Ansari executive who announced him as the grand prize winner of the Winter Promotion 2023.

Talking to Khaleej Times, Numan said, "I am an IT professional; I deal with IT architecture, AI and Cloud innovation and am aware of the rampant scams. I was working from home when I got the first call and dismissed it, thinking it could be a scam. So, the executive told me that someone from the company would call me back."

Numan again got a call through a landline, and this time, the company's name blinked on his phone screen. Numan, uncertain about the legitimacy, interrogated the caller thoroughly. A marketing executive reassured him, furnished essential details, and even offered evidence on social media. Overwhelmed by the unexpected turn of events, the long-time UAE resident was speechless.

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