KUWAIT CITY, Jan 29: In a startling case of workplace fraud, counterfeiting and forgery detectives yesterday arrested four Kuwaiti citizens for allegedly taking turns fingerprinting on behalf of each other to falsely record their attendance at work. Initial investigations revealed that each of the four employees, who worked at a government facility in Ahmadi Governorate, only showed up for one week a month while the others stayed home. The scheme involved one employee using silicone fingerprints to clock in for themselves and their absent colleagues.

A security source stated that detectives received a tip about the fraudulent activity and, after verifying the information, obtained a warrant from the Public Prosecution to arrest the suspects. During the operation, a man in his thirties was caught red-handed while fingerprinting for himself and his three colleagues. Searches revealed silicone fingerprints belonging to the other employees in his possession.

Under interrogation, the first accused admitted to the rotating fingerprinting scheme but denied receiving payment from his colleagues. The other three suspects were later arrested and confessed to their roles in the forgery. Authorities confirmed that the four employees will be referred to the Public Prosecution to face legal action, which could include imprisonment and financial penalties for theft and forgery.