KUWAIT CITY, Aug 28: Kuwaiti authorities have arrested eight people involved in illegal money transfer operations, the Ministry of Interior said Thursday.

The arrests were carried out by the General Department for Combating Terrorism and Money Laundering in cooperation with the Criminal Investigation Department, targeting an organized gang conducting so-called “alternative remittances" or "hawala.”

Authorities identified eight defendants in the case:

The ministry said in a statement that alternative remittances are unofficial channels used to transfer funds outside local and international banking systems, allowing perpetrators to evade regulatory oversight and operate banking activities without a license.

Investigations revealed the suspects coordinated with traders in several allied countries, committing multiple offenses that harmed the financial and economic systems and undermined confidence in both Kuwait’s and other countries’ banking systems.

The ministry said such actions constitute crimes against national interests and are punishable under Law No. 106 of 2013 concerning anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing.

Authorities emphasized that security services will continue to act firmly against anyone attempting to exploit the financial system illegally, vowing to pursue and arrest offenders and impose strict legal measures to protect Kuwait’s financial integrity and its regional and international reputation.