Kuwait Cracks Down on Raffle Fraud: Egyptian Woman and Officials Arrested in Widespread Scheme

TDT | Manama
Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

Kuwaiti authorities have launched an extensive investigation into a suspected fraud ring that manipulated raffle draws, with an Egyptian expatriate at the center of the case. The primary suspect, an Egyptian woman, was arrested at Kuwait International Airport on Sunday evening as she allegedly attempted to flee the country.

The case, which has sparked widespread public attention, involves not only the woman but also a Ministry of Commerce employee and her husband, who have both been detained. Preliminary findings suggest the fraud operation dates back to 2023 and could involve up to six individuals, with connections potentially extending beyond Kuwait's borders.

The Scheme Uncovered

Investigators discovered that the suspect used slight variations of her name—alternating between her first and last name, first and middle, and full names—to repeatedly enter multiple raffle draws. The woman allegedly won seven cars in total, which were registered under her husband's name and later sold for profit.

The scope of the fraud ring appears to be larger than initially thought, involving individuals of various nationalities, including Egyptians, Indians, Asians, and Kuwaiti citizens. Authorities suspect that the scheme may have connections with other countries, further complicating the investigation.

Expanding the Investigation

In an effort to understand the full extent of the fraud network, authorities are seeking permission to access communication records between the suspects. These records are expected to provide crucial evidence to help unravel the operations of the network.

The case has been handed over to the Public Prosecution, which is pursuing charges of fraud, forgery, money laundering, and actions that could harm Kuwait’s economic system.

Serious Implications

“This is not a simple case of one person exploiting a loophole,” said a senior source familiar with the investigation. “We are dealing with an organized effort to manipulate public raffles and profit illegally. This poses serious implications for trust in commercial practices and government oversight in Kuwait.”

As the investigation continues, authorities are determined to uncover the full scope of the network and bring those responsible to justice. The case has raised concerns about the integrity of public raffles and the need for stricter regulations to prevent such fraudulent activities in the future.