KUWAIT CITY, Sep 18: Investigations into fraudulent nationality cases have uncovered yet another complex network of forged Kuwaiti citizenship involving a Syrian family, adding to the growing list of identity forgers exposed in recent months.

According to informed sources, three Syrian expats legally living in Kuwait (one man and two women) admitted during questioning that their uncle, who is Syrian by origin, had fraudulently obtained Kuwaiti citizenship. The uncle, born in 1946, was granted citizenship in 1976 at the age of 30. Officials stressed that this timing raised suspicions, since such certificates are normally issued when applicants reach the age of 18, suggesting the man had acquired nationality through illegal channels.

Authorities revealed that the suspect fled Kuwait for Syria in November of last year and has since been placed on arrival watchlists. His sons were summoned for questioning, and genetic fingerprinting was carried out. The DNA results confirmed that his children were indeed cousins of the three Syrian residents in Kuwait, providing conclusive evidence that the alleged Kuwaiti citizen was, in fact, Syrian by birth.

The investigation further revealed the man had six Syrian wives — some divorced and others still married to him. Two of these wives had managed to obtain Kuwaiti citizenship under Article 8, but their citizenship status had been revoked in the past.

The forger’s file listed 31 children, and when grandchildren were included, the number of dependents linked to him reached an astonishing 87 individuals. Authorities noted that such large-scale fraudulent registration places a significant burden on state resources, from social benefits to public services.

Sources disclosed that the fugitive had managed to secure citizenship decades ago through false testimony. A witness had claimed he was the son of a Kuwaiti citizen and even presented him as the brother of another Kuwaiti. However, investigators have since determined that the witness himself was also involved in forgery, having previously registered eight children under pretenses.

The case has been referred to the Public Prosecution, which has issued an arrest warrant against the fugitive and circulated his name across all entry points into Kuwait. Authorities confirmed that the case is far from over, as investigators continue to dig into “open linked files” to unravel the full extent of the forgery network and identify others who may have illegally acquired Kuwaiti nationality.

Officials described the scandal as a “forgery within a forgery,” likening it to a set of Russian nesting dolls, where each layer of investigation reveals deeper fraud.