Expat Teacher Loses BD 1,188 in Seconds Due to Data "Update" Scam

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com

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The High Criminal Court has scheduled a hearing for September 29th for an Asian man convicted of fraud and sentenced to three years in prison, a BD 1,000 fine, and deportation.

The man, in a matter of seconds, managed to convince an expat teacher that he was a company employee and that they needed to update their data. This allowed him to withdraw BD 1,188 in two separate transactions.

The Public Prosecution charged the defendant with collaborating with an unknown accomplice to use the victim's electronic signature, specifically the bank card verification code, through fraudulent means.

The prosecution argued that the defendant, through communication with the victim, obtained her banking information, entered the data and verification code into a technological system, and subsequently stole the money.

The crime was committed through collaboration and assistance. The defendant was also charged with collaborating with an unknown accomplice to access the victim's information technology system and bank accounts without legal justification, with the intent of transferring funds.

The incident involved a foreign teacher in her 40s who reported that her bank accounts were fraudulently accessed.

An unknown individual contacted her, claiming to be a company employee, and requested a data update. After she provided her information, BD 1,100 was withdrawn, followed by an additional BD 88.

A police officer testified that the defendant was part of a network specialising in electronic fraud, operating in collaboration with accomplices outside Bahrain. The network utilised multiple bank accounts for fraudulent activities.