25 expatriates promised job in Europe paid between 2,000 and 2,500 dinars
Employment agency owner in police custody; says process takes time, unable to return money
Personnel from the Criminal Investigation Department have taken into custody the owner of an employment agency from the Capital Governorate after 25 expatriates accused him of taking money in exchange for promises of jobs and work visas in European countries.
According to a security source, most of the complainants are Asians who reported that they had responded to an advertisement offering employment opportunities in Europe. The expatriates said they met the agency owner, who allegedly promised to secure jobs and obtain work visas for them for fees ranging between 2,000 and 2,500 dinars, depending on their qualifications.
They said they were required to have valid passports and residency permits in Kuwait. The complainants said they signed contracts and were assured that the required procedures would be completed within a few months. However, after waiting and repeatedly contacting the agency, they said they received no clear responses and were eventually told not to contact the company again and that they would be contacted when the contracts were ready.
They later requested refunds of the money they had paid but were allegedly told that the funds had already been spent on visa processing. The Capital Governorate Investigations Department acting on the complaint, initiated investigations and according to the security source, confirmed the complainants’ statements and allegations of fraud.
Investigators contacted and summoned the agency owner, but he refused to appear. The Public Prosecution was subsequently notified and ordered his arrest and during interrogation, the accused reportedly admitted receiving money from the expatriates,
He denied his intention was to cheat, and added he had been trying to secure jobs for them but that the process required time. When asked whether he could return the money, he reportedly said it would be difficult. The security source did not say if the accused held an official permit to for overseas recruitment.
