Two Arrested in Kuwait for Selling Fake Residential Addresses to Expats for Civil IDs

Kuwait's Criminal Security Sector has apprehended two individuals accused of a scheme that manipulated residential addresses for expatriates, enabling them to illegally obtain civil identification cards. The operation, led by the General Department of Criminal Investigation, uncovered that the suspects falsified registered addresses in the Public Authority for Civil Information (PACI) records, despite the individuals not residing at the altered locations.

The primary suspect, a Kuwaiti national born in 1973, allegedly exploited his position to change and update expatriates’ residential information. He reportedly charged between KD 100 and KD 120 for each transaction. This individual has been referred to the Capital Governorate Prosecution, where an investigation has commenced, leading to charges of forgery and bribery. He is currently held in Central Prison pending further legal proceedings.

Authorities also arrested an accomplice who served as an intermediary, connecting expatriates seeking fraudulent address changes with the main suspect. This accomplice admitted to receiving KD 150 per transaction, retaining a commission of KD 30 to KD 50 for his role. The investigation was initiated after security forces received information about expatriates obtaining address changes through unofficial channels for substantial fees.

Security sources have issued a stern warning to expatriates involved in obtaining civil identification cards through illicit means, highlighting potential legal consequences, including administrative deportation. Residents are urged to adhere strictly to Kuwait’s laws and regulations concerning residency information and official documentation. The Criminal Security Sector is actively working to identify all transactions made by the arrested individuals to ascertain the full extent of the violations and uncover any other beneficiaries of this illegal activity. This crackdown follows a similar operation in December last year that dismantled a network engaged in similar fraudulent address changes.