Kuwait busts online gambling syndicate laundering millions

• Investigations revealed that the international network had been using several companies as fronts to conceal its operations, including general trading firms, delivery services, health salons, and clothing and perfume outlets.

The General Department of Criminal Investigation in Hawalli Governorate has dismantled an international network involved in operating online gambling platforms and illegally transferring their proceeds within Kuwait, Al Rai newspaper reported.

In a statement, the Ministry of Interior said investigations began after information was gathered on the group’s activities through social media monitoring. A specialized team was formed to pursue the case, implementing a detailed field plan that led to the arrest of seven suspects — six Egyptians and one Syrian — who were directly linked to managing the illegal operations.

Investigations revealed that the network had been using several companies as fronts to conceal its operations, including general trading firms, delivery services, health salons, and clothing and perfume outlets.

Authorities found that money laundering was carried out by transferring amounts from abroad through an individual based in Turkey. Each transfer was kept at 25,000 Kuwaiti dinars or less to avoid detection, then reintroduced into Kuwait through unofficial channels and distributed in cash to participants. The total amount seized and traced through the network reached 153,837.25 Kuwaiti dinars.

The Ministry of Interior stated that coordination was undertaken with the Financial Prosecution Office. All suspects, along with the seized funds, investigation files, and details of the companies involved, were referred to the Public Prosecution for further legal action. The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to combating organized crime in all forms and stressed that the law will be applied equally to all offenders.