Fraudulent “draws” crackdown expands to multiple suspects inside, outside Kuwait

Authorities continue investigating a commercial sweepstakes fraud case involving a name winning multiple draws. The winner, an Egyptian expatriate, was arrested on Sunday evening at Kuwait Airport while attempting to flee. A suspected Ministry of Commerce employee and the Egyptian expatriate’s husband were also apprehended.

According to preliminary investigations, Al-Rai learned that the case may expand, potentially leading to the prosecution and arrest of more individuals both inside and outside Kuwait as authorities work to uncover the truth behind the fraud and manipulation of the sweepstakes withdrawals.

Based on the defendants’ confessions, the fraudulent withdrawals began in 2023. Informed sources told Al-Rai that the network may involve more than five or six individuals, and authorities are working to obtain official permission to review communications and correspondence records between the suspects in order to continue their investigations.

The sources revealed that the woman’s role was limited to entering her name on the raffle coupons in various formats. At times, she used her full name, other times just her first and last name, or even her first and middle name to avoid detection. Additionally, she would register the cars she won under her husband’s name, who would then sell them.

Furthermore, the sources noted that the detainees’ confessions uncovered a network of around six individuals, all of whom are suspects, involved in entering multiple competitions.

The case involves several charges against the defendants, including fraud, forgery, money laundering, and undermining the country’s economic system, with the Public Prosecution handling the investigation.