KUWAIT CITY, Feb 13: The Cybercrime Department at the Criminal Security Sector in the Interior Ministry has clamped down on an international Chinese gang engaged in electronic information theft. The gang perpetrated sophisticated cyber attacks on communication towers and banks to steal the victims’ bank account data. The criminals and the seized devices were handed over to the concerned authorities. The Ministry of Interior announced that as part of its efforts to enhance cyber security and combat fraud and deception crimes, the department arrested an international gang of Chinese nationality involved in carrying out extensive cyber attacks, targeting some communication towers and banks in the State of Kuwait.

In a press statement, the ministry revealed that the details of the incident include receiving reports from some communication companies and banks about their networks being exposed to cyber-attacks. Immediately, the specialized security teams began the search and investigation operations. The ministry said there was an external influence resulting from the use of advanced electronic devices, which enabled the gang to hack into communication networks and broadcast intensively fraudulent messages impersonating some bank employees to obtain bank account data to steal money. Through the signal tracking devices, the source of the suspicious signals was identified by the specialized team, which turned out to be coming from a vehicle in Farwaniya. The security teams quickly moved to the specified location where the suspicious vehicle was monitored. While approaching the vehicle, the teams noticed that the mobile phone network was affected by the sounds of electronic devices being heard from inside.

The driver of the vehicle, who is of Chinese nationality, was arrested and the electronic devices were confiscated. After obtaining permission from the Public Prosecution, the officers searched the residence of the Chinese, where they found more devices and technical tools used to analyze the hacked data. During the investigation, the accused admitted that he and several others had been hacking communication networks and sending fraudulent messages, impersonating employees of banks and telecommunications companies to commit fraud and deception. After completing the search and investigation operations, the identities of the remaining members of the gang were identified, leading to their arrest.

Results of the biometric fingerprint inquiry showed that their actual identities do not match the identities they used, which revealed their involvement in forgery operations in a bid to conceal their true identities and hide from the security authorities. The accused were referred to the competent authorities to take the necessary legal measures against them. The ministry affirmed its full commitment to confront anyone who dares to tamper with the country’s security, stressing the importance of developing cyber security as an essential part of strategies to protect the homeland. It added that it continues to develop its security systems and technologies to overcome modern challenges, maintain stability, and protect data from digital threats.

Moreover, security sources affirmed this is one of the most dangerous gangs carrying out cyber attacks, as advanced devices were found in their possession. Sources added that the gang members hacked communication towers to weaken the networks and then sent links to the victims under the pretext of restoring the weak networks and then stealing from bank accounts. Sources disclosed that the gang rented vehicles using forged passports to continue their cyber attacks. A large number of mobile phones were also found in their possession, as they were sending links through the devices they possessed.

Meanwhile, the Director of Kuwait Association for Information Security (KAIS) Dr. Safaa Zaman confirmed that electronic fraud methods have become more sophisticated and professional; hence, the need to intensify governmental and technical efforts to deal with them, as well as to develop information security. Zaman explained some modern devices capable of penetrating the electromagnetic waves of communication towers; thereby, allowing the transfer, withdrawal, and analysis of data to access sensitive information, such as banking data and commercial transactions. She pointed out these devices can infiltrate the servers of companies and financial institutions through communication networks and send fraudulent messages to target individuals and entities. She called for strengthening protection measures by encrypting sensitive data and adopting advanced security protocols that prevent the collection of information through these devices. She also stressed the importance of conducting periodic inspections of communication towers to monitor hacking attempts, in addition to installing advanced jamming devices to prevent electronic infiltration operations. She asserted that confronting these threats requires close cooperation between government agencies and the private sector by developing advanced technical solutions and raising community awareness about the risks of electronic fraud to ensure a safer digital environment. She recommended the use of advanced methods to detect these devices by the concerned authorities; such as those at airports, customs and others.