Signed a Blank Form? Kuwait's MOI Busts Gang That Used Blank Signatures to Secure Court Judgments

KUWAIT CITY, July 12: Kuwait's Ministry of Interior has dismantled an international criminal gang accused of forging official documents and using them to file fictitious financial claims in court in an attempt to illegally obtain money from citizens and expats.

The General Department of Criminal Investigation, represented by the Financial Crimes Department, uncovered the operation after a citizen reported that an enforceable court judgment had been issued against him over a financial claim despite having no prior dealings with the plaintiff.

Investigators found that the gang's main suspect had exploited his former job at a vehicle rental company to collect signatures from citizens and residents on blank documents and promissory notes under the pretext of completing rental procedures. He allegedly retained the signed documents before leaving the country, where they were later used to prepare fraudulent financial claims and submit them to the courts.

Authorities also identified the suspect's sister as a key member of the scheme. She allegedly submitted the forged documents, filed the false financial claims, and collected the money awarded through court judgments.

She was arrested, and officers seized several promissory notes, customary documents and receipts issued by local banks. Investigations revealed that the gang had filed more than 130 fraudulent financial claims using the same method.

The Ministry of Interior urged citizens and residents not to sign blank promissory notes, incomplete documents or papers containing missing information, and to ensure all details are fully completed before signing any document to protect themselves from financial fraud and exploitation.