HSBC cardholder becomes a millionaire

A young Sri Lankan entrepreneur based in the Maldives Richard Murcott became the lucky winner of Rs 1 million by using his HSBC credit card at a special summer promotion organised by the bank and duty free retailer, Alpha Orient Lanka Limited.

'Win a Million Summer Bonanza' invited passengers at Bandaranaike International Airport to spend $65 or more at arrivals or $75 or more at departures at Alpha Orient Lanka duty free shops to win an array of prizes.

Murcott, who runs his own printing business in the Maldives was thrilled to receive the good news and said, "Every time I come back to Sri Lanka, I visit the Alpha Orient duty free shop which is filled with the world's leading brands. I am touched with the first class customer service Alpha staff provide.

I was happy to use my HSBC credit card and participate in the promotion. A few weeks later, when Alpha Marketing Manager gave me the news over the phone, I thought a friend was trying to pull my leg as my birthday was just around the corner.

For someone who had not even won ten rupees in a lottery, Rs. 1 million was too good to believe."

The promotion gave cardholders a double chance to win when they swiped it to make purchases.

Daily winners were selected through scratch cards and his/her duty free bill was wiped out up to a maximum of Rs. 10,000, throughout the promotion period.

In addition, 15 consolation prizes including 5 Laptops, 5 iPods and 5 Mont Blanc pens were also given away to the winners.

All prize winners, including those who did not stand a chance at winning in daily draws, were entered into the grand raffle draw, held at the arrivals duty free shop under the patronage of a Tax Officer from the Western Province Revenue Department together with Alpha Orient Lanka Limited and HSBC Management.