01/08/2025
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01/08/2025
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KUWAIT CITY, Aug 1: Acting on the directives of His Excellency the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Fahd Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, and following his recent official visit to Egypt that strengthened bilateral security cooperation, Kuwaiti authorities have dismantled a gang involved in forging official documents to facilitate illegal immigration to Europe.
The General Department of Residency Investigations, under the Residency and Nationality Affairs Sector, successfully arrested members of a criminal network that specialized in fabricating Kuwaiti government documents. The forged materials were used to obtain European visas, particularly Schengen visas, to seek asylum or enter European Union countries illegally.
According to authorities, the gang was involved in forging work permits, falsifying salary amounts and professions on civil ID cards, and creating counterfeit bank statements and salary certificates bearing forged stamps. These documents were designed to meet the requirements of European embassies for visa issuance.
A gang targeted expat workers under Article 18 (Private Work Visa) for forging documents in exchange for payments ranging from KD 950 to KD 1,500 to secure Schengen visas. During a raid at the main suspect’s and his brother’s residence, authorities confiscated printers, devices, and multiple passports used in the scam.
Gang Members and Roles:
- Emad Sameh (Egyptian, Fugitive): Identified as the main defendant and ringleader, he was responsible for attracting clients, forging documents, collecting payments, and coordinating the gang’s operations from abroad, specifically Egypt. Kuwaiti authorities are coordinating with Egyptian counterparts to initiate legal action against him.
- Milad Sameh (Egyptian): The brother of the main defendant, he assisted in executing instructions and directly participated in document forgery activities inside Kuwait. He was known by the alias "Abanoub."
- Daniel Marcos (Egyptian): Tasked with booking embassy appointments, receiving reservation receipts, and handing them over to other gang members as part of the visa application process.
- Maher Al-Ayoubi (Lebanese): Responsible for forwarding embassy reservation receipts to expedite and facilitate visa processing
Authorities are continuing investigations and collaborating with international partners to pursue legal proceedings against those involved, particularly the fugitive gang leader currently residing outside Kuwait.
