Kuwaiti and Syrian Arrested in Kuwait Over Alleged Phone Hacking and Bank Theft Scheme

KUWAIT CITY, June 20: A sophisticated cybercrime operation allegedly targeting citizens’ and expats’ mobile phones and bank accounts has been uncovered in Kuwait, leading to the arrest of a Kuwaiti citizen and a Syrian expatriate who were referred to the Public Prosecution.

According to security sources, the suspects were accused of taking part in a hacking network that remotely controlled victims’ phones, monitored their activities and accessed sensitive information, including banking details and one-time passwords (OTPs).

The investigation began after several citizens and residents reported receiving suspicious messages and notifications from local numbers. After opening the links, victims discovered unauthorized withdrawals and transactions from their bank accounts, despite not purchasing the listed devices or receiving verification codes for the transactions.

Cybercrime investigators found that the messages contained malicious links and technical tools designed to infiltrate mobile devices. Once victims accessed their banking applications, the hackers were allegedly able to capture confidential information and carry out fraudulent financial operations.

Investigations revealed that the accused had targeted dozens of phones and was allegedly working with a specialized criminal network operating from an Arab country. The network members reportedly handled the technical hacking operations, while the suspects in Kuwait received devices purchased using stolen funds and resold them at discounted prices to hide the source of the money.

During questioning, the two suspects allegedly admitted their involvement, claiming their role was limited to receiving and reselling the fraudulently purchased devices in exchange for commissions. Authorities said most of the proceeds were transferred to members of the overseas network.

The suspects were identified and arrested through cooperation between the Cybercrime Department and Hawalli detectives, who continue investigations into the wider network.

Authorities urged the public to remain vigilant, warning against opening suspicious links or messages from unknown sources. Residents were also advised to regularly update their phones and applications, never share OTP codes or banking information, and immediately report any unusual activity involving bank accounts or electronic devices.