Kuwait busts cross-border gang of Asians behind ATM ‘cardless’ theft scheme

Personnel from the Anti-Money Laundering Department affiliated to the Criminal Investigation Department busted a gang of Asians who specialized in a novel method to steal money from citizens and residents by exploiting the ‘cardless withdrawal’ feature available on ATMs.

Following intensive search and investigation efforts, authorities identified the main suspect — a Bangladeshi —within 24 hours of the theft.

His identity was confirmed by matching ATM surveillance images with biometric data from the Criminal Evidence Department, reports Al-Rai daily.

He was located, identified and taken into custody from a suburb in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh. At the time of arrest he was in possession of approximately 5,000 Kuwaiti dinars, multiple SIM cards, bank cards, and money transfer receipts from exchange offices intended for remitting funds abroad.

Further investigations uncovered that the suspect was part of a larger transnational network. He had been collaborating with two Pakistani nationals employed at a ready-made clothing company, which was being used as a front for unlicensed remittance operations.

This tactic was adopted after authorities had previously shut down their former company, which had also engaged in illicit currency exchange and money transfers.

The two Pakistani accomplices were seized from Khaitan, along with tools used in the illegal transfers.

The authorities have launched legal proceedings against the suspects and have located the gang’s international base in Pakistan. Coordination with foreign authorities is underway to dismantle the wider network.