Dubai, UAE — Mahzooz, the popular online weekly draw that promised life-changing winnings to people across the Gulf region, is now facing serious allegations of being a scam. Thousands of hopeful participants, many of them expats chasing dreams of financial freedom, are now questioning if they were misled by the lottery-style game.
Launched as a legitimate platform with flashy promotions and real winners, Mahzooz quickly became a sensation in the UAE and surrounding countries. But recently, angry users have flooded social media with complaints, accusing the platform of manipulating draws, hiding winners’ details, and making it impossible to claim prizes. While the company denies all allegations, the growing controversy raises important questions about transparency, trust, and consumer protection in the region’s digital gaming industry.
Mahzooz, which means “lucky” in Arabic, is a weekly draw operated by EWINGS LLC. Participants can register online, buy water bottles for AED 35 each (proceeds go to charity), and automatically get entered into a draw. The company claims it has already created dozens of millionaires and changed lives.
The game involves picking five numbers from a set of 49. If you match all five, you win the top prize — which has reached up to AED 20 million in the past. Even fewer matches offer smaller cash prizes, making it appealing to a wide range of people. Mahzooz promotes its platform as safe, charitable, and fair.
Despite its popularity, Mahzooz is under fire for several reasons:
One of the biggest red flags raised by users is the lack of public information about winners. Unlike many global lotteries that showcase winners, their photos, and winning tickets, Mahzooz often only reveals the first name and country of the winner — with no proof or public appearances.
“They keep saying someone from ‘India’ or ‘Pakistan’ won, but there’s no way to confirm it,” said Rahul, a Dubai-based engineer who’s spent over AED 2,000 on tickets since 2021. “Why hide their identity if it’s legit?”
This secrecy has led to accusations that Mahzooz could be fabricating winners to maintain interest without actually paying out big jackpots.
Several users allege that even when they won small amounts, getting the money was difficult. Some report delayed responses, excessive documentation requirements, or even sudden account deactivations.
A former participant named Fatima said, “I won AED 350 once. I submitted all documents, and then my account got blocked. I never saw that money.”
While Mahzooz states that all payouts follow legal and regulatory procedures, frustrated players say the process lacks customer support and clarity.
Another major concern is the lack of third-party auditing or government oversight. While EWINGS claims the draws are monitored by an internal panel and follow international standards, critics say there is no evidence of regular audits by independent firms.
In most countries, lotteries are run or licensed by governments, ensuring fair play. In Mahzooz’s case, many users are unsure under which legal authority it operates or whether consumer rights are protected.
On platforms like Trustpilot, Reddit, and Facebook, many negative reviews about Mahzooz mysteriously disappear or are countered by suspiciously positive posts. Some users believe the company is paying for fake reviews to boost its image and hide criticism.
“Every time someone complains, suddenly ten new ‘happy winners’ show up in the comments,” wrote one Reddit user. “It feels too staged to be true.”
EWINGS has strongly denied all scam allegations. In several press releases and statements, the company emphasizes that all its draws are fair, audited, and designed to support charitable causes. It also claims to comply with UAE laws and follows responsible gaming principles.
The official Mahzooz website features a page full of “winners’ testimonials,” although many of them lack detailed identity confirmation. The company has also pointed to its charity partnerships, showing that some of the proceeds are indeed used for social good.
If you have played Mahzooz or plan to:
Financial experts say that online draws like Mahzooz carry risks — especially when based outside of strict regulatory frameworks.
“Without clear oversight, there’s always a risk that platforms can exploit hopeful participants,” said Meera Kapoor, a financial advisor in Dubai. “People should treat these like entertainment, not investment opportunities.”
The Mahzooz controversy may not be as black-and-white as it seems. While the company hasn’t been officially declared fraudulent, the rising number of complaints, lack of transparency, and questionable operations have left many users feeling cheated.
As more people speak out, regulators may need to step in and investigate the platform to ensure fairness and rebuild public trust. Until then, participants should remain cautious and informed.
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