KUWAIT CITY, Feb 8: The Hawalli Governorate Criminal Investigation Department has placed an Arab expatriate on travel ban and arrest warrant lists after accusing him of embezzling 114,000 Kuwaiti dinars in a breach-of-trust case linked to unfinished construction projects.

According to case details, a lawyer representing a general trading and contracting company owned by Kuwaiti citizens filed a complaint alleging that the suspect collected large sums under two separate contracts to construct two plots of land—then vanished before completing the work.

The accused, born in 1978, reportedly received the funds to carry out plastering, painting, and tiling works. However, investigators say he completed only a minor portion of the projects before absconding with the remaining money, leaving both sites unfinished.

The complainant stated that 70,000 dinars were taken under the first contract and 44,000 dinars under the second, bringing the total allegedly embezzled amount to 114,000 dinars.

A security source said that after the case was registered, investigators tracked the suspect through the Ministry of Interior’s automated system and confirmed he was still inside the country, residing in the Farwaniya area. Detectives later attempted to locate him, but found his phone switched off and his residence empty, with his current whereabouts unknown.

Investigations further revealed that the funds were transferred to the suspect through bank transactions, with official documents submitted by the lawyer and added to the case file as evidence.

The case has now been referred to the competent authorities for further legal action, with officials saying developments will be communicated as the investigation continues.

The security source warned that such cases are repeatedly fueled by excessive trust and the transfer of large sums without adequate guarantees. Citizens and business owners were urged to properly document contracts, closely monitor project implementation, and avoid releasing payments except under clear legal safeguards. Authorities also stressed the importance of verifying contractors’ legal records and promptly reporting any suspected breach of trust to protect rights and prevent similar incidents.