KUWAIT CITY, Jan 1: The Misdemeanor Court has sentenced a man, dubbed the "Expensive Watch Thief," to two years in prison with hard labor after he was found guilty of stealing luxury watches under the guise of displaying them for an online auction. The court also referred a civil lawsuit against the accused to the civil court, following more than 40 cases filed against him.

The victim’s defense attorney, Hawra Al-Habib, argued in court that the accused stole a watch worth 60,000 dinars from her client. She emphasized that the accused believed he was adept at committing crimes because there was no direct evidence linking him to the theft.

Al-Habib presented evidence, including correspondence between the accused and her client, which confirmed that the accused had sold the stolen watch, proving that he had both received and sold the item without compensating the victim.

In her statements, Al-Habib also highlighted the growing prevalence of fraud in various sectors, warning the public about real estate fraud, investment scams, and even ticket fraud, particularly concerning the ongoing Gulf Cup tournament. She urged caution, advising individuals not to trust fraudsters and to ensure that all transactions and procedures are thoroughly verified before committing any funds.

The case serves as a stark reminder of the increasing sophistication of scams and the importance of safeguarding personal interests and investments.