KUWAIT CITY, July 1: Many people have heard or known individuals falling for cybercrimes, and they might think they are beyond reach; however, it might strike anyone with internet access, whether on a phone or any other device. The Interior Ministry’s cybercrime department is on the vanguard when it comes to protecting citizens and residents alike from such evil schemes, but it remains vital to be vigilant and updated on the latest cyber scams and methods.

Some 3,000 cybercrime cases were reported last year, and last month 164 crimes were reported, which gives you an indication of how impactful cybercrime on society, Lieut-Colonel Ammar Al-Sarraf, acting head of the assistance services department of the Interior Ministry’s cybercrime department, told KUNA. He indicated that fake text messages on parties pretending to represent official entities and banks were at the top of the fraud list, adding that scammers were using more advanced technologies and different methods to set traps for the uninformed. He revealed that one of the top scams involved advertisements for renting chalets on social media, carried out by using Kuwaiti telephone numbers, which did not give verification of whether the social media account was fake or not.

Online shops selling products with ridiculously low prices also attracted unsuspecting customers, Al-Sarraf added. He continued, fake payment links, which looked legitimate and represented government or official companies, were used by scammers to steal data and money. On how to have basic protection against such acts, Al-Sarraf said that before entering data and falling victim to such scams, one must verify the websites visited, noting that legitimate websites in Kuwait end with a (com.kw) line. He applauded the Wamdh (flash) service, which managed to decrease fraudulent transactions, adding that the Aman (Safety) virtual room, a mechanism that gathers Kuwaiti banks, the public prosecution, and the financial crimes unit, also played a role in monitoring and keeping such cybercrimes at bay. Some KD four million (USD 13 million) of citizens' and residents' finances were protected with around 2,540 cases of cybercrimes reported last December, he revealed, adding that around KD one million (USD 3.2 million) was safeguarded between January and May of 2025.

Al-Sarraf noted that there was a permanent digital coordination outfit established in 2023 dedicated to shutting down suspicious websites and tracking down fake numbers. The unit managed to close down 2,300 scam sites and disconnected 2,200 fake WhatsApp numbers. Those getting caught within Kuwaiti borders are handled according to Kuwaiti law, while those abroad would be handled via Kuwait-INTERPOL cooperation, affirmed Al- Sarraf who brought up operation “Red Tower”, which saw a suspect targeting a communication tower in Kuwait apprehended in a GCC country and brought to justice.

In regard to the effectiveness of Law 63/2015 concerning cybercrime prevention, Al-Sarraf stressed that it was the cornerstone of efforts to bring down such heinous acts. Around 70 lectures are held annually in schools, educational bodies, and government institutions to spread awareness on such crimes, he said. Al-Sarraf called on citizens and residents to contact the official WhatsApp number 97283939 to report any crime against them and spread awareness of the dangers of cybercrimes.

(KUNA)