Crimes involving embezzlement of public funds witnessed a significant and unprecedented decrease during 2025, declining by 67 percent compared to 2024. According to an article published in Al-Qabas daily, the number of such cases fell to 73, compared to 221 in 2024. This decline was not limited to public funds cases alone, but also extended to other corruption-related crimes. Bribery and abuse of power cases decreased by 27.8 percent, while forgery in official documents dropped by 9.9 percent, reflecting a general improvement in indicators of legal compliance and transparency.
These positive and encouraging developments are the result of the firm enforcement of laws and the implementation of deterrent measures, something that had been lacking for years. This article published by Al-Qabas daily reminded me of an article I wrote six years ago titled “… and the Colors of My Life,” which I am republishing here in brief. Like many others, I was influenced by the people I met, and I learned a great deal from most of them. My grandfather and father played a significant role in forming my character, values, and the way I interacted with others, both professionally and socially. Working at a private bank in my late teens allowed me to meet prominent and distinguished individuals, including members of foreign management, Indian colleagues, and board members. I do not claim to be a paragon of virtue or integrity, but I acknowledge that I have been influenced by the good qualities of everyone who has entered my life, and I am grateful for their contributions.
However, I have always wondered about the mindset of a con artist while committing fraud. Do they truly consider the consequences of their actions? What happens if they are caught? Do they have a backup plan? What about financial penalties, the possibility of imprisonment, and the damage to their reputation and that of their family? The connection between this introduction and the subject of this article might be difficult to explain.
A wealthy citizen and his son, both former senior officials from a prominent family, carried out a forgery operation considered the largest and most unusual of its kind in Kuwait’s history. In 2004, they obtained a permit to construct a 20-story hotel with a total area of 24,000 square meters. They secured all the necessary approvals, electricity was connected, and everything appeared to be in order. Later, they submitted a request for official approval for a copy of all project plans and building permits, claiming the originals had been lost. However, the municipality later discovered, likely by chance, that the citizen, his son, and the contractor had forged all municipal inspection documents, including supervision completion reports, the electricity connection approval, and the building permit itself.
They had falsified the signatures of all relevant government entities, engineers, and supervisors to conceal serious building violations. The case was referred to court, and all three parties were sentenced to prison after being found guilty at all levels of litigation. The original permit was for a building with an area of 24,000 square meters, while in reality its size reached approximately 60,000 square meters. The building still stands today, serving as a reminder of a period many hope will not be repeated. The son avoided serving his sentence by fleeing abroad, as did the contractor. Due to special circumstances, the father was later pardoned. We extend our congratulations to Ambassador Hamad Suleiman Al-Mashaan on the issuance of the decree that appointed him as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.
By Ahmad alsarraf
email: [email protected]
