Residency-for-Cash network busted involving 11 companies and dozens of suspects
More individuals are expected to be arrested as investigations into the incident continues.
The Ministry of Interior undercover policemen have busted a major human trafficking and forgery network involved in residence-for-cash trade.
The case came to light when an unidentified Asian filed a complaint with a local police station stating that he had paid 650 dinars to a compatriot identified only as (Y. B. M.) in exchange for securing a work permit following which the suspect was summoned for interrogation by the police and he admitted to receiving the money to process the residency paperwork.
Investigations revealed that the suspect is a partner in 11 companies, employing 162 workers registered under the names of these companies.
When several of the workers were questioned, they admitted to paying between 500 and 900 dinars to obtain work permits. Some confessed to paying additional 60 to 70 dinars to forge salary information on their work permits in order to qualify for family residency permits.
The authorized signatory for the companies, a Kuwaiti identified as only (F. A.), was also summoned. He admitted to receiving monthly payments ranging from 500 to 600 dinars, and stated that he regularly visits the Public Authority for Manpower to process work permits via the “Sahel” application.
So far, 12 suspects have been referred to the Public Prosecution Office. Investigations are ongoing, including inspections and seizure of documents from the implicated companies. Legal and administrative action is expected against anyone found to be involved in this network.
