KUWAIT CITY, Oct 27: In view of the rising rate of electronic fraud cases amid the widespread use of digital banking services, lawyers have stressed the need to update legislation and intensify awareness campaigns to curb the spread of these cases and protect the public from scams carried out by organized networks in and outside the country. Electronic fraud methods include text messages, anonymous telephone calls, misleading emails, fake payment pages, and unreliable applications that aim to steal banking or personal data. Fraudsters often claim to represent official entities or well-known financial institutions to deceive users and trick them into disclosing personal information.

Recent experiences showed that fraudsters have developed their tools to lure victims in clever ways, hence, the need to raise the level of digital awareness and deal cautiously with suspicious messages and links to protect personal data from exploitation. Attorney Jassim Bandar told the newspaper that Law No. 63/2015 on combating information technology crimes established a deterrent legal framework for these crimes. He pointed out that practical application requires developing methods of investigation and electronic monitoring, because fraud is no longer simple as it now relies on organized planning and networks with advanced knowledge of encryption and hacking methods. Attorney Abdullah Shuja Al-Otaibi affirmed that the law does not protect those who are negligent in protecting their data, stressing that public awareness is the strongest weapon to combat fraud. He disclosed that most victims fall prey to fraud as a result of voluntarily disclosing their bank details or clicking links from unknown sources. He urged the banks to conduct periodic awareness campaigns for citizens and expatriates.

Attorney Fatima Al-Shatti believes the current laws are sufficient in terms of their provisions, but they need more comprehensive activation in terms of implementation and oversight. She warned that delays in reporting electronic crimes contribute to the loss of evidence and the difficulty of tracking down the perpetrators. She stressed the importance of adopting a national system for immediate reporting of financial fraud, linking banks, the Ministry of Interior and the Public Prosecution. She added that digital transformation is irreversible, but cybersecurity must be a top priority, indicating the next stage requires advancement of the legal and technical infrastructure to ensure confidence in electronic services and protect the funds of users.

Meanwhile, the recent statistics issued by the Ministry of Justice revealed that more than 700 cases of electronic fraud and scams have so far been recorded in 2025 -- an increase of about 38 percent compared to last year. Majority of these cases involved hacking bank accounts or fake messages impersonating bank logos. Moreover, sources from the judicial sector confirmed that some of the cases were orchestrated by criminal networks operating from outside the country, exploiting technical vulnerabilities and human behavior to access sensitive data. They indicated that cooperation between the Public Prosecution and Interpol contributed to the arrest of a number of suspects and the recovery of stolen funds.

By Jaber Al-Hamoud Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff