KUWAIT CITY, Oct 16: A surprise inspection campaign conducted on Wednesday evening by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in coordination with the Public Authority for Food and Nutrition, the Kuwait Municipality, and the Ministry of Interior, uncovered multiple violations at stores and restaurants in Mubarakiya Market, resulting in 22 violations being issued. The inspections revealed tampering with food weights, improper storage, and other breaches of commercial and health regulations.

The campaign is part of ongoing government efforts to ensure food safety, market regulation, and consumer protection. During the inspections, several restaurants were found not using scales when serving meals — a clear breach of an official ministerial decree mandating that all food establishments sell meals by weight to guarantee fair pricing and protect consumers.

Faisal Al-Ansari, Director of the Commercial Control and Consumer Protection Department at the Ministry of Commerce, stated, “During the inspection tour, conducted with several regulatory bodies, we aimed to ensure that food establishments in Mubarakiya Market adhered to all relevant regulations. We found a number of restaurants serving meals without weighing them, which constitutes a direct violation of the ministerial decision. Instances of underweight portions were also recorded. Seizure reports were filed, and legal action has been taken against the violating establishments, which will be referred to the Commercial Prosecution Office.”

Health Violations

The inspection also covered health and food safety standards. Violations included poor storage practices and leaving food uncovered outside stores, creating potential contamination risks.

Dr. Saud Al-Jalal, Deputy Director of the Public Authority for Food and Nutrition for Control and Inspection Affairs, said, “The Mubarakiya Market campaign is part of a series of surprise inspections conducted across the country in coordination with the Ministry of Commerce, Kuwait Municipality, and Ministry of Interior. During the tour, we detected multiple violations in various establishments.”

Dr. Al-Jalal added, “A total of 22 violations were recorded, including poor public hygiene, smoking inside premises, leaving goods improperly exposed, and the absence of health certificates for employees. One food establishment operating without the required licenses was seized, closed, and legal action has been taken against it.”

He emphasized that surprise inspections will continue uninterrupted across all governorates as part of a comprehensive national plan to monitor commercial and food establishments. “We work daily to ensure compliance with regulations and will not tolerate any fraud, manipulation, or practices that threaten consumer health,” Dr. Al-Jalal concluded.

KUWAIT CITY, Oct 16: As part of its ongoing efforts to combat crimes related to intellectual property rights and commercial fraud, the Ministry of Interior (MOI), represented by the Criminal Security Sector, successfully dismantled a large-scale counterfeit perfume operation in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh.

The raid, conducted by the General Department of Criminal Investigation—specifically the Department for the Protection of Public Morals and Combating Trafficking in Persons—led to the arrest of three individuals of Asian nationality who were managing a factory engaged in counterfeiting, manufacturing, and storing fake international and local perfume brands.

Authorities moved swiftly to intercept the operation before the counterfeit products could reach the market, particularly as the Perfume Exhibition approaches—a period of heightened perfume sales and consumer activity.

The operation was carried out in coordination with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Kuwait Municipality. During the raid, officials seized more than 15,000 counterfeit perfume packaging boxes and 28,000 empty bottles ready for filling and distribution. The illegal factory, which had been set up for large-scale production, was subsequently destroyed. All confiscated materials, along with the arrested suspects, were referred to the competent authorities for further legal action.

The Ministry of Interior reaffirmed its commitment to protecting consumers and safeguarding the national economy from commercial fraud. It urged the public to report any suspicious or illegal activities that could endanger public safety or economic security by calling the emergency number 112 or contacting the Ministry through its official communication channels.

KUWAIT CITY, Oct 16: As part of its ongoing efforts to combat cybercrime, the Criminal Security Sector, represented by the General Department of Criminal Investigation’s Cybercrime Combating Department, successfully investigated a case involving fraudulent text messages sent from a local phone number on behalf of several well-known companies.

Following a thorough investigation, authorities discovered that the suspect had collected multiple phone numbers and provided them to an accomplice. The accomplice was subsequently arrested while in possession of several mobile phones. During questioning, he admitted to collaborating with an individual abroad who transferred money to him in exchange for using the SIM cards to operate an application that sent fraudulent messages. The scheme aimed to deceive recipients and commit financial fraud.

The General Department of Criminal Investigation affirmed that efforts to apprehend individuals exploiting technology for criminal purposes are ongoing. Legal proceedings have been initiated, and the accused are being deported in accordance with the law to safeguard public interest.

The Ministry of Interior also issued a warning to the public: avoid responding to unknown messages or clicking on suspicious links that seek banking information or personal data. Citizens are urged to verify all communications through official sources and report any suspicious activity.