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Kuwait jails five over $179M illicit money transfer scheme targeting expats

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Kuwait jails five over $179M illicit money transfer scheme targeting expats

Kuwait imprisons five for role in $179 million money laundering operation targeting expats.

KUWAIT CITY, April 28: A Kuwaiti criminal court has sentenced two Iraqi nationals and three Egyptians to three years in prison each for their involvement in an illicit financial transfer scheme that specifically targeted the Egyptian expatriate community in the country.

The court acquitted the remaining defendants accused in the case, which involved laundering approximately 55 million Kuwaiti dinars (around $179 million), and ordered the confiscation of all seized funds.

According to Al-Qabas newspaper, the case was initially uncovered when Kuwaiti authorities arrested an Egyptian man found carrying 50,000 Kuwaiti dinars (about $163,000) in cash. The arrest led to an investigation that exposed a wider network of individuals — both Iraqis and Egyptians — engaged in illegal money transfer operations.

The Kuwaiti Public Prosecution’s investigation revealed that the network targeted Egypt’s large expatriate community in Kuwait, estimated at around 600,000 people. The group collected funds in cash and funneled the money to Egypt and other countries using unofficial channels, bypassing licensed financial institutions and money exchange services.

Authorities also discovered that the network was running a parallel financial system based on the informal “hawala” method, facilitating unregistered transfers and moving substantial sums of money outside the oversight of the Central Bank of Kuwait.

The case highlights the government’s ongoing efforts to clamp down on unregulated financial activities and reinforce control over monetary transactions.

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Visa Fraud Gang Busted In Kuwait; International Network Exposed

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KUWAIT CITY, July 1: As part of its ongoing campaign to combat organized crime and enforce residency and labor laws, Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior, through the Nationality and Residency Affairs Sector and the General Department of Residency Investigations, has arrested a gang involved in large-scale document forgery aimed at securing travel visas to various European countries.

Investigations carried out in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs uncovered the gang’s fraudulent methods, which included altering job titles, falsifying employer information, and manipulating work permits, salary details, bank statements, and other official documents to meet visa requirements set by European embassies.

Initial findings also revealed the involvement of an Egyptian national operating a social media account from abroad, who promoted these illegal services and targeted individuals seeking to immigrate illegally. Authorities apprehended several gang members within Kuwait and seized electronic devices and forged documents used in their operations. The suspects and confiscated materials have been referred to the relevant authorities for legal action.

In line with international security cooperation, Kuwait coordinated immediately with authorities in the Arab Republic of Egypt, leading to the arrest of the remaining gang members abroad. Further legal procedures are currently underway.

The Ministry of Interior reaffirmed its commitment to upholding national security and enforcing the law, warning that it will continue to take firm action against anyone involved in such criminal activities. The Ministry also urged the public to comply with all laws and regulations.

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Three injured in vehicle collision and fire on Jahra Road

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Three injured in vehicle collision and fire on Jahra Road

Kuwait firefighting team tackles vehicle fire on the Jahra Road.

KUWAIT CITY, July 1: Firefighting teams from the Shuwaikh Industrial Fire Station responded Tuesday morning to a collision and fire involving two vehicles on Jahra Road in the Shuwaikh area.

The incident resulted in injuries to three individuals. Emergency teams swiftly managed the situation, and the injured were handed over to medical emergency services for treatment.

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Fake UK Apartments Scam Lands Kuwaiti Woman In Jail

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KUWAIT CITY, June 30: The Court of Cassation has sentenced a Kuwaiti businesswoman to four years in prison with hard labor and fined her 1,152,000 Kuwaiti dinars after convicting her of defrauding several citizens. She falsely claimed to offer residential apartments in the UK for Kuwaiti students, convincing parents that she owned properties near British universities. In exchange for reserving these non-existent units, she collected large sums of money. Investigations revealed that she operated the fraudulent scheme in partnership with an Egyptian accomplice who fled the country once the scam was uncovered. Despite the exposure, she continued her fraudulent activities until her arrest. She was later charged with fraud and money laundering. The Court of Cassation upheld the lower court’s ruling, confirming her guilt and making the verdict final.

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