Business owner imprisoned for BD34,685 fake contract scam

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Thirty fake contracts, forged documents, and a fraud worth BD34,685 have landed an establishment owner in hot water.

The First Lower Criminal Court has handed him a three-year prison sentence and ordered his deportation, while two accomplices will serve two years each and pay fines of BD5,000.

The Public Prosecution announced yesterday.

The scam came to light after the Labour Fund, Tamkeen, raised the alarm with the Anti-Corruption Crimes Directorate.

The establishment, which dealt in advertising and publicity, had submitted fabricated employment contracts for 30 workers.

Data

Investigations by Tamkeen’s Violations Committee revealed that these contracts were fake, and the data supporting them was false.

The owner had also filed forged documents suggesting he had paid wages to these workers — an elaborate scheme designed to siphon funds from Tamkeen.

The fraud netted him over BD34,000 in financial support he had no right to claim.

Tamkeen’s inspections and field visits confirmed the scam, leading to a deeper probe.

The Public Prosecution examined the dodgy documents, interviewed witnesses from Tamkeen, and grilled those involved.

Their findings revealed that the owner had worked closely with two accomplices who provided him with the fake contracts, which he used to deceive Tamkeen.