MOI cracks down on fake accounts, arrests Kuwaiti citizen managing 16 profiles

The government continues its wide-ranging war against corruption and violations across all sectors, including services, education, health, electricity, and fraud, while also combating negative phenomena like mining.

However, the reform efforts remain incomplete due to the presence of misleading media outlets that spread frustration, rumors, and lies, aiming to undermine public confidence in state decisions.

In a major security operation, the Ministry of Interior dealt a heavy blow to fake accounts on social media by arresting a Kuwaiti citizen (identified only as S.F.), who was operating 16 fake accounts to spread rumors and insult citizens for monetary compensation. This move is part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to safeguard public security and stability, with firm legal action promised against anyone attempting to destabilize society.

The Ministry’s Criminal Security Affairs Sector, through the Cybercrime Combating Department and Hawalli Investigations Department, revealed that after receiving confidential information, security teams monitored the suspect’s movements, identified his residence and transportation methods, and arrested him at a shopping mall, coordinating with the mall’s management. He was accompanied by two friends at the time.

Upon confrontation, the accused admitted to managing several fake accounts to spread false information and insult citizens. Authorities seized several mobile phones used for these activities, and a search of his residence uncovered additional phones, narcotic substances, psychotropic substances, and bottles of imported alcohol.

Investigations revealed that the accused was collaborating with another individual (N.B.), a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda residing in Turkey, to manage the fake accounts in exchange for money. It was also found that (S.F.) had been previously sentenced to three years in prison in Case No. (511/2016) for threats, and this sentence remains to be enforced.

The Ministry of Interior warned citizens against believing rumors and unreliable social media content, urging the public to rely on official sources for accurate information. The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to protecting societal security and maintaining stability.

Summary of 10 Key Steps:

• Receipt of confidential information about (S.F.).
• Identification of the suspect and monitoring his movements.
• Obtaining permission from the Public Prosecution.
• Arresting the suspect at a shopping mall.
• Confrontation and confession by the suspect.
• Admission of running several fake accounts.
• Seizure of phones used for account management.
• Discovery of narcotic substances at his residence.
• Confirmation of cooperation with a person in Turkey holding Antigua and Barbuda nationality.
• Discovery that the suspect had a pending three-year prison sentence for threatening.