25/07/2025
Share:
25/07/2025
Share:
KUWAIT CITY, July 25: A long-term Indian resident in Kuwait has come forward with a harrowing personal account of alleged visa trading, fraud, and exploitation — revealing how he was trapped for over two years without a valid residence permit, income, or legal recourse.
The man, who first arrived in Kuwait at the age of five and has lived in the country for decades, claims he became a victim of a widespread visa racket run under the guise of a legal trading company based in Farwaniya.
His story begins in 2019, when he joined (M-A-A) General Trading & Contracting Co., hoping to start a small business under their commercial license. The Indian caretaker manager of the company, identified as A.K, allegedly struck a deal with him and several others — offering use of the company license in exchange for fees.
But what began as a business arrangement quickly turned into a financial trap.
"He took money from us — for salaries, stamping, insurance, office rent — but never gave receipts or proper documentation. We trusted him because of his age and his promises," the expat recalled."
He and three others signed agreements, but they were never registered with the Chamber of Commerce. When asked to involve the Kuwaiti owner, the manager reportedly dismissed the request and assured them there was no reason to worry.
The Pandemic Turned Exploitation Into a Full-Blown Racket
According to the victim, the real trouble began after the COVID-19 pandemic hit. With businesses shutting down and work drying up, A.K allegedly began openly selling visas, demanding between 500 to 1,800 Kuwaiti Dinars from desperate job seekers.
“He took KD 1,250 from me when my residence expired in August 2022. He kept my passport, told me lies, and left me jobless for two years. I was borrowing money just to eat.”
He claims the manager used his access to the company bank accounts and personal documents to manipulate him and others, even making them sign fake salary receipts to keep the company’s labour files active.
"He had everyone's bank cards, withdrew the salary himself, and gave nothing to the workers," he alleged.
'He Held My Passport for Two Years'
Perhaps the most disturbing element of the complaint is the claim that the manager deliberately withheld his passport for over two years, using it as leverage to prevent him from meeting the Kuwaiti sponsor or seeking legal protection.
When he finally approached Kuwait’s Public Authority of Manpower (Shoun), he managed to get in touch with the actual sponsor, who reportedly agreed to help — but by then, the passport had expired. The expat was forced to apply for an emergency passport from the Indian Embassy, incurring additional costs and months of delay.
“He told me to declare my passport lost just so he could use my residency slot to bring in someone else and collect more money. Then he mocked me for applying for the special passport,” the victim said.
‘Nothing Was Done’ – Call for Accountability
Although the company’s file was eventually closed and the victim was released from sponsorship in October 2024, he says no further action was taken against the company or its manager.
“Shoun closed the file. What about the bank account? What about the money taken from others?”
He claims that even today, visa trading continues from the same office located in Farwaniya, near Metro Cinema. The company board still reads the company name, and the same Indian manager is allegedly still operating there.
'How Many More Will Be Cheated?'
The whistleblower says he aims to warn others (particularly new expats) who are lured by promises of legal residency and a better life, only to find themselves trapped in a system with little oversight and almost no justice.
“There are many such offices in Farwaniya, Jleeb, Fahaheel, and Mangaf. Reputed Kuwaiti names on the board, but inside it’s a racket run by greedy managers. Why is there no audit? No punishment?”
He has called for stricter regulation of company sponsorships, transparency in labour transactions, and urgent action against visa trading, which remains a criminal offense under Kuwaiti law.
