KUWAIT CITY, Mar 4: A Kuwaiti citizen recently reported to the Al-Shamiya Police Station that she fell victim to a phone scam, resulting in the theft of her entire bank balance of 1,710 dinars and 835 fils. The victim stated that she received a call from an individual claiming to be an employee of a national bank, who informed her that her bank card had been blocked and needed to be updated. When she inquired about the procedure to lift the block and whether she needed to visit the bank in person, the fraudster assured her that he could assist remotely. He then asked for her bank card number, secret PIN, and a one-time password (OTP) sent to her phone. After she provided the requested information, her entire bank balance was drained in a single transaction, leaving her account balance at zero.
A case of forgery involving a bank document, classified as a felony, has been registered, and the investigation file has been referred to the Commercial Affairs Prosecution for further action.
Ministry of Interior Issues Warning
The Ministry of Interior has repeatedly warned citizens and residents about the rise in fraud and deception schemes, often perpetrated by individuals outside Kuwait using phone numbers and sophisticated digital communication platforms. In an official statement, the ministry urged the public to remain vigilant and cautious of suspicious calls to avoid falling prey to such scams. It emphasized that these fraudulent activities are being closely monitored and tracked by relevant authorities, who are taking necessary measures to address the issue.
Security Source Highlights Common Scam Tactics
A security source reiterated the importance of never sharing bank card numbers, secret PINs, or OTPs with unknown callers. He explained that many complaints involve fraudsters posing as bank representatives, asking victims to "update their data" by providing the first four digits of their card numbers or completing partial details. Once the scammers obtain the full card number and secret PIN, they gain full access to the victim’s bank account. In some cases, thieves transfer the entire balance to their accounts and then call the victim again to request the OTP, ultimately stealing all funds.
The source also warned against a new WhatsApp scam, where fraudsters claim that a sum of money was mistakenly deposited into the victim’s account and request its return via a provided bank link. Clicking on the link can result in the loss of the victim’s entire bank balance.
While the exact number of recorded cases was not disclosed, the source confirmed that fraud and deception tactics are continuously evolving.
