Kuwait is investigating a fraudulent raffle scheme led by an Egyptian woman who won multiple prizes under suspicious circumstances. Arrested while attempting to flee the country, she, along with a Ministry of Commerce employee and others, faces serious charges including fraud and money laundering. Authorities suspect a larger network is involved, indicating potential breaches in public trust.
Kuwaiti authorities are conducting a thorough investigation involving an alleged fraud network that manipulated raffle draws. Central to this suspicious activity is an Egyptian woman, who has been accused of winning numerous prizes under dubious circumstances. She was apprehended at Kuwait International Airport while attempting to leave the country, as reported by officials.
In addition to the primary suspect, authorities have detained a Ministry of Commerce employee and the woman’s husband. Initial findings indicate that the fraudulent scheme may date back to 2023, potentially involving over six individuals and international connections.
Investigators have discovered that the suspect entered raffle draws using slight variations of her name to avoid detection, winning a total of seven vehicles. These cars were registered in her husband’s name and subsequently sold for profit. The scale of the fraud is believed to extend beyond the initial suspects, involving various nationalities including Egyptians, Indians, Asians, and Kuwaitis.
Authorities are now working to obtain permission to access communication records among the suspects to better understand the operation’s full extent. The case has been referred to the Public Prosecution, which aims to charge the involved parties with fraud, forgery, money laundering, and actions harmful to Kuwait’s economic integrity.
A senior source involved in the investigation remarked, “This is not a simple case of one person exploiting a loophole. We are looking at an organized effort to manipulate public raffles and profit illegally.” Such actions pose significant challenges to public trust in commercial practices and government regulation.
The Kuwaiti investigation into the raffle fraud highlights a sophisticated scheme involving multiple participants, including the main suspect, her husband, and a Ministry of Commerce employee. With criminal charges likely to encompass fraud and money laundering, authorities emphasize the seriousness of this matter in relation to public trust and economic integrity. As the investigation unfolds, further details about the broader network may emerge, reflecting challenges in regulatory oversight.
Original Source: gulfnews.com
