Cybercrime in Kuwait: The Ministry of Interior (MOI) in Kuwait revealed that the Cybercrime Department handled over 330,000 reports by December 2024. These efforts protected citizens and residents from more than 4 million Kuwaiti dinars in fraud-related losses.
From January to May 2025 alone, nearly 1 million dinars were seized from criminal operations. In total, over 4,000 specific cases were investigated last year, including scams related to fraudulent advertisements, fake online stores, and counterfeit payment links.
Top Cybercrime Threats in Kuwait
According to the MOI, the three most common cyber scams in Kuwait include:
- Fake chalet rental ads posted on social media
- Scam e-commerce stores offering “discounted” goods with fraudulent payment links
- Impersonation of government or food company websites to steal banking information
In the past month alone, 164 new cybercrime cases were registered, involving public order violations, impersonation, and content breaching public decency laws.
Expert Warning from the MOI
Lieutenant Colonel Ammar Al-Sarraf, Head of Support Services, emphasized that electronic fraud is now the most widespread crime in Kuwait. Most scams involve fake messages or payment links pretending to come from banks or official entities.
He warned that scammers use increasingly sophisticated methods—sometimes manipulating individuals inside Kuwait to unknowingly collect money for criminal networks.
How to Stay Safe
Lt. Col. Al-Sarraf shared key tips to protect against cybercrime in Kuwait:
- Always verify e-commerce websites before entering payment details.
- Legit sites should have “.com.kw” or trusted payment gateways.
- Never interact with suspicious links sent via SMS or WhatsApp.
- Report cybercrime cases immediately to MOI authorities.
He also praised the role of the Wamd digital service in protecting the public from online threats.
Final Thoughts
This cybercrime Kuwait update from the Ministry of Interior shows the growing scale of digital threats and the country’s proactive efforts to fight back. As cybercriminals become more creative, so must we as digital citizens.
For official guidance and updates, visit the Ministry of Interior’s website.
