An expatriate in Kuwait fell victim to a phone scam and lost KWD 400 after unknowingly sharing personal banking details. The incident was reported at a police station in the Ahmadi Governorate, where the victim revealed that the fraudster posed as a Kuwaiti citizen affiliated with a government agency.

According to the police report, the scammer contacted the victim under the pretense of updating government records. The caller requested sensitive information, including the expatriate's civil ID and bank card details. Believing the caller was legitimate, the victim complied.

Moments later, the victim received an SMS alert from the bank confirming a withdrawal of KWD 400. Realizing the fraud, the expatriate swiftly contacted the bank and had the account deactivated to block further unauthorized transactions.

The case has been officially registered, and relevant authorities have initiated an investigation. Law enforcement agencies in Kuwait are actively working to trace the source of the call and identify those involved in the fraudulent activity.

With similar scams on the rise in Kuwait, the Ministry of Interior has previously issued warnings about fraudulent calls and deceptive online schemes, especially during holiday seasons. Citizens and expatriates are urged to avoid sharing personal or financial information over the phone unless they can independently verify the caller’s identity.

Tips to Protect Yourself:

• Do not disclose your civil ID, bank card number, or PIN over the phone.
• Verify the caller’s identity by contacting the relevant authority directly.
• Enable transaction alerts and monitor your bank account regularly.
• Report suspicious activity to the police or your bank immediately.