KUWAIT CITY, Dec 11: In a landmark final verdict the Court of Cassation closed one of the most significant electronic trading fraud cases in the country’s history. Seven defendants were each sentenced to seven years imprisonment with hard labor, followed by deportation. Their crimes included money laundering, fraud and embezzlement of a staggering 157,000 Kuwaiti dinars. It all began when a Kuwaiti citizen fell victim to a sophisticated scam. A 53-year-old Arab resident and a 26-year-old African lured him with promises of lucrative financial gains via electronic trading platforms.

Through persuasive phone calls, they convinced the man to part with his money, only to disappear with the funds. Initially hesitant to report the crime, the victim assumed that the perpetrators believed to be operating from abroad, were beyond the reach of local authorities. However, his eventual decision to file a report set the wheels of justice in motion. When the authorities apprehended the two defendants, they uncovered a much larger scheme. The duo was part of an international fraud network headquartered in a European country. This network included five additional members, all European nationals, who coordinated their criminal activities from overseas.

The decision issued by the Court of Cassation affirmed the rulings of the lower courts, delivering justice for the victim and reinforcing Kuwait’s zero-tolerance stance against financial crimes. The victim’s attorney, Ala’a Al-Saeedi, reflected on the case as a cautionary tale. She urged anyone facing similar scams to report the crimes immediately, regardless of the perpetrators’ location. “My client,” she explained, “initially hesitated to file a complaint, thinking the scammers were untouchable abroad.” She also warned the public to remain vigilant by not trusting unsolicited offers of financial gains through electronic platforms; verifying platforms and traders by consulting approved and licensed institutions in Kuwait and carefully reviewing contracts and commercial licenses before committing to any transaction. The case stands as a stark reminder of the increasing sophistication of cybercrime. Kuwait’s legal system has proven its dedication to protecting its citizens and ensuring justice, even when crimes cross international borders. For the victim, the ruling ended his misery, while for the public, it served as a powerful lesson in the importance of vigilance and trust in official channels.

By Jaber Al-Hamoud
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff