KUWAIT CITY, Oct 24: In a swift and coordinated operation, detectives from the Salhiya Investigation Department foiled an attempt to defraud a woman of KD 180,000, arresting the suspect just moments before he tried to flee the country through the Nuwaiseeb border crossing.

According to a security source, the case began when a woman (whose Kuwaiti citizenship had reportedly been revoked) filed a complaint at the Salhiya Police Station, stating that she had purchased a house in the Al-Wafra residential area from a Kuwaiti citizen for KD 180,000.

The woman explained that she and the seller visited the Credit Bank, where she paid KD 70,000 as part of the agreed amount and received a property description certificate. She then issued a check for KD 110,000, which the seller successfully cashed. However, after receiving the full payment, the seller allegedly stopped responding to her calls and failed to complete the ownership transfer procedures.

Upon receiving the complaint, detectives launched an investigation and attempted to summon the suspect for questioning. However, he reportedly stalled and failed to appear, prompting authorities to place his name on the travel ban list.

Later that same day, security personnel at the Nuwaiseeb border checkpoint alerted detectives that the man was attempting to leave the country. A team was immediately dispatched to the site, where the suspect was intercepted and taken into custody.

During interrogation, the man reportedly confessed that he intended to flee the country without transferring the property ownership to the buyer. Following his confession, the authorities charged him with fraud. He was later released pending further investigation, with the travel ban remaining in force until the case is fully resolved.

The suspect also contacted his brother, who holds a power of attorney, to complete the ownership transfer on his behalf after his arrest. Investigators are currently verifying the legal status of the transaction and the property documents.

Security sources praised the quick action of Salhiya detectives, emphasizing that their timely response prevented a significant financial loss and ensured that justice would take its course.