KUWAIT CITY, April 23: The detention renewal judge has extended the detention of a Malaysian and two Chinese nationals accused of engaging in activities deemed harmful to the interests of Kuwait and using illegal communication networks to access a large amount of banking data through cyberattacks. Investigations revealed that the suspects entered the country in coordination with others in China, from whom they received instructions to carry out cyberattacks targeting telecommunications towers by using specialized electronic devices. This enabled them to send an unlimited number of fraudulent messages to the users of these towers; thereby, illegally accessing banking data through their mobile phones. The Public Prosecution has started interrogating two defendants who confessed to committing the crime. The prosecution also ordered the seizure of the electronic devices used in the attacks and their referral to the Criminal Evidence General Department in the Ministry of Interior for technical examination. Investigations are still ongoing to complete the remaining procedures.

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