Doha, Qatar—Super-rich Qataris are splashing out millions on "fancy" car number plates in an online auction run by a government department.

So far, more than 4.2 million Qatari riyals ($1.1 million) has been pledged on just 24 separate and unique car registration numbers being auctioned by the

interior ministry of the energy-rich state.

the highest single bid was 460,000 riyals for the number plate 377773.

Bid prices are expected to increase.

As in Dubai, owning a distinct number plate has become a desirable status symbol for Qataris to publicly show off their wealth.

Most in demand are those with fewer numbers -- most ordinary Qatari registration plates have six figures -- repeated digits, or those in sequence.

A previous auction for "fancy vehicle numbers" at the end of last year saw one driver bid a reported 200-million riyals (almost $55 million) for the number

plate 333355.