Politics

Asian Expat Working at Kuwait’s Central Bank Held for Counterfeiting KD 19,000

Published

5 months ago

March 26, 2025

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KUWAIT CITY, March 26: The Counterfeiting and Forgery Investigations Department of the Criminal Security Sector, under the leadership of Major General Hamed Al-Dawas, has referred an Asian expatriate to the Public Prosecution on charges of counterfeiting Kuwaiti currency. The case file includes 19,000 Kuwaiti dinars in counterfeit banknotes (denominations of 20 and 10 dinars) from the fifth edition of the currency.

Details of the Crime

Investigations revealed that the accused, who worked at the Central Bank of Kuwait, believed his position would enable him to fraudulently exchange the counterfeit fifth-edition notes for authentic sixth-edition currency. According to a security source, the Central Bank initially detained the suspect after discovering he owned the fake money.

Upon receiving the report, counterfeiting and forgery detectives swiftly took the expatriate and the seized counterfeit notes to the Criminal Security headquarters for interrogation. During questioning, the accused admitted to exploiting the currency replacement initiative, which phases out the fifth-edition notes. He allegedly printed the fake currency, intending to exchange it before the April 18 deadline, after which old notes would no longer be eligible for replacement.

Broader Schemes and Accomplices

The suspect claimed he believed his connections at the Central Bank would help him avoid detection, as the old currency was meant to be destroyed rather than recirculated. However, investigators are now examining whether he had previously succeeded in exchanging counterfeit money for real currency.

Further interrogations led to the confession of accomplices who assisted in printing the fake banknotes. Authorities have since arrested these individuals, and all suspects remain under investigation. The Public Prosecution will conduct a fresh inquiry into the case to determine the full extent of the operation.

Central Bank’s Warning

The Central Bank of Kuwait has reiterated that April 18, 2025, is the final deadline for exchanging fifth-edition currency. After this date, holders of the old notes will no longer be able to convert them into the new sixth-edition currency. The bank has also urged the public to remain vigilant against counterfeit money and report any suspicious financial activities.

This case highlights ongoing efforts by Kuwaiti authorities to combat financial fraud and maintain the integrity of the national currency. Further updates will follow as the investigation progresses.

Related Topics:Asian Bank Central Counterfeiting Expat Held Kuwaits Working

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Politics

KD 350–900 Charged for Illegal Kuwait Visa Renewals and Transfers

Published

1 hour ago

August 13, 2025

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KUWAIT CITY, Aug 13: In a major crackdown on residency trafficking, the General Department of Residence Affairs Investigations has arrested a Pakistani national and several others accused of issuing illegal residency permits in exchange for money. The operation was carried out under the directives of First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahd Yousef Saud Al-Sabah.

Investigations revealed that the main suspect, identified as Shahbaz Hussain Allah Rakha, was registered under Noor Al-Kawthar General Trading and Contracting Company and acted as a representative for 19 companies, managing nine of them under agency agreements. A total of 150 workers were registered under these companies, owned by Munifa Omar Al-Enezi.

Authorities found that individuals had paid between KD 350 and KD 900 to the suspect to renew or transfer their residency illegally, despite not working for the companies under his name. The accused admitted to completing the transactions himself using the credentials of the Public Authority for Manpower and the Ministry of Interior, without the company owner’s involvement.

All suspects have been referred to the competent authorities for legal action. The Ministry of Interior, in coordination with the Public Authority for Manpower, has reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying inspections, rooting out residency trafficking, and enforcing strict legal measures against offenders.

Politics

MoCI shuts salons, tyre shops, café for violations

Published

2 hours ago

August 13, 2025

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KUWAIT CITY, Aug 13: The Commercial Control Department at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry launched intensive inspection campaigns targeting commercial establishments, resulting in the closure of 13 establishments, including beauty salons, used car tyre shops and a café. Director of the department Faisal Al-Ansari stressed that the ministry has never been lenient towards those who violate the regulations and laws. He revealed to the newspaper that inspection teams recorded serious violations, resulting in the closure of five women’s salons that used expired cosmetics and violation reports were issued against them.

He added the inspection teams closed five domestic worker recruitment offices, two used car tyre shops and one café for failure to comply with decisions and regulations. He said the department is keen on pursuing anyone who dares to violate the laws by intensifying inspection campaigns throughout the country; such that inspection campaigns will be carried out in industrial plots in the coming days to monitor the plots belonging to the ministry and take the necessary measures against violators.

By Marwa Al-Bahrawi
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff

Politics

10 expat workers found dead in Ahmadi, alcohol poisoning suspected

Published

12 hours ago

August 13, 2025

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10 expat workers found dead in Ahmadi, alcohol poisoning suspected

Alcohol poisoning suspected in deaths of 10 expatriate workers in Ahmadi.

KUWAIT CITY, Aug 13: A security source revealed to a local daily that 10 expatriate workers were found dead across 10 separate incidents in Ahmadi Governorate. According to the source, initial investigations suggest that alcohol poisoning may be the cause of death in all cases.

The Ministry of Interior is reportedly looking into the circumstances surrounding these deaths, as all the victims were expatriates working in the area. Further details on the investigation are awaited.