Crime News – Latest Crime Reports & Legal Updates in the GCC

1 year ago

Bahrain: Accountant Sentenced To Five Years For Embezzling Over BD40,000 From Gulf Air Academy

The High Criminal Court has sentenced a 36-year-old accountant to five years imprisonment and a fine of BD 41,770.795. He has also been ordered to repay the same amount to Gulf Air Academy, a subsidiary of Gulf Air Group, following his conviction. As per the case records, the Public Prosecution accused the accountant, who served as a senior accountant and acting head of accounts and finance at the academy, of embezzling BD 54,121 between January 2021 and April 2022. The prosecution alleged that he exploited his position to misappropriate cash payments received from trainees, diverting the funds for his personal use instead of depositing them into the academy’s accounts. The accountant was further accused of manipulating the academy’s electronic information system. He allegedly altered transaction data and dates, falsified bank reconciliations, omitted accurate data, and systematically prepared monthly reconciliation reports to conceal his embezzlement. He also reportedly entered false value-added tax (VAT) entries to cover discrepancies between the academy’s bank records and its electronic system. Testimonies from the academy’s finance and accounts director revealed that since November 11, 2021, the department had consisted of two employees: the defendant and an accounts coordinator. “The coordinator, who was primarily focused on preparing […]

1 year ago

Five Get Jail Terms For $1.4 Million Traffic Fraud In Kuwait

A Kuwaiti court has sentenced five people, including a traffic employee, to five years in prison each for involvement in forging vehicle licences and illegally selling them, media reports said. In addition to the traffic worker, the defendants included a Kuwaiti citizen and three members of the Bidoon (people without proper documents) community. They were charged with forging licences of 54 vehicles linked to installments amounting to KD440,000 ($1.4 million) due to a company. The prime defendant, i.e. the traffic employee, had colluded with co-defendants to fraudulently re-sell the vehicles to unsuspecting persons. The company had filed a legal complaint on the case. Investigations revealed that the prime defendant and his partners were implicated as proven by evidence furnished by traffic and security authorities to the public prosecution. Rise in fraud cases There has recently been a rise in fraud cases in Kuwait despite repeated warnings from authorities to citizens and expatriates to be on guard against potential fraudsters and their ruses, Al Qabas newspaper has recently quoted what it termed as a well-informed source. Cases related to real-estate scams top the swindle list, followed by phantom investment deals inside Kuwait or abroad, and fraud linked to luxury car purchases. Last week, […]

1 year ago

Saudi: 5-Year Jail And Fine Of SR30 Million For Exporting Petroleum Products Without A License

It is mandatory to obtain prior approval from the Ministry of Energy before issuing any licenses or approvals necessary to establish any petrochemical facility. The new Petroleum and Petrochemical Law, approved by the Council of Ministers on Jan. 7, requires obtaining a license to practice any petroleum or petrochemical operations. It is also mandatory to obtain prior approval from the Ministry of Energy before issuing any licenses or approvals necessary to establish any petrochemical facility. According to the new law, which replaced the Petroleum Products Trade Law, petroleum must be sold and purchased at the global price. It is stipulated in the law that anyone who exports a priced petroleum product outside the Kingdom without a license shall face imprisonment for a period not exceeding five years, and a fine not exceeding SR30 million or not exceeding twice the value of the petroleum product in question at the global price at the time of its seizure, whichever is higher, in addition to confiscating the seized items. The circumstances of the crime and the difference in price between the global price and the price charged for the substance at the time of its seizure are also taken into account when assessing […]

1 year ago

ZATCA Thwarts Smuggling Of Over 1.4 Million Captagon Pills At Jeddah Islamic Port

The Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority (ZATCA) has foiled an attempt to smuggle 1,482,132 Captagon pills into the Kingdom through the Jeddah Islamic Port. ZATCA revealed that the pills were concealed within a consignment described as a “machine used to rotate laundry.” Advanced customs inspection techniques and live monitoring detected the hidden contraband during routine procedures. Following the seizure, authorities coordinated with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control, leading to the arrest of those intended to receive the illegal shipment within the Kingdom. The authority reaffirmed its commitment to tightening customs controls on imports and exports to combat smuggling in all its forms. This effort aligns with its strategic priority of ensuring societal security and protection. ZATCA also urged the public to contribute to the fight against smuggling and protect the national economy by reporting suspicious activities. The authority assured that all reports are handled with strict confidentiality, with financial rewards offered to informants if their information proves accurate.

1 year ago

Saudi Arabia Records Over 22,500 Residency, Labor, And Border Violations

The Ministry of Interior conducted extensive inspection campaigns across Saudi Arabia from January 16 to January 22, targeting compliance with residency, labor, and border security laws. The campaigns uncovered a total of 22,555 violations, including 14,260 related to residency laws, 4,954 to border security, and 3,341 to labor laws. Authorities detained 1,700 individuals attempting to cross the border into the Kingdom illegally, of whom 42% were Yemenis, 56% Ethiopians, and 2% from other nationalities. Additionally, 81 people were arrested for attempting to leave the Kingdom illegally. Twenty-four individuals were apprehended for facilitating illegal entry, transporting, sheltering, or employing violators. Currently, 33,871 expatriates—comprising 30,984 men and 2,887 women—are undergoing procedures to enforce regulations. Among them, 26,489 violators were directed to contact their respective embassies or consulates for travel documentation, 2,274 were instructed to make departure arrangements, and 10,948 were repatriated. The Ministry of Interior has reiterated the severe penalties for those who facilitate illegal entry into the Kingdom, including up to 15 years in prison, fines of up to SR1 million, and the confiscation of vehicles or properties used in such crimes. These acts are classified as major crimes warranting immediate arrest. The ministry urged the public to report any violations […]

1 year ago

Bahrain: Paper-To-Cash Scam Exposed: Two Arrested for Fraud

In a shocking scam exposed by authorities, two individuals were arrested yesterday for allegedly defrauding people with a bizarre promise: double your money by turning ordinary paper into real currency. The arrests were made following a tip-off that led the General Department of Anti-Corruption, Economic, and Electronic Security, in collaboration with the Capital Governorate Police Directorate, to launch an immediate investigation. The suspects were swiftly identified and apprehended. Authorities acted quickly to refer the case to the Public Prosecution, ensuring the fraudsters would face legal consequences. In a statement, the General Department of Anti-Corruption, Economic, and Electronic Security urged both citizens and residents to remain vigilant. They advised the public to steer clear of such deceptive individuals and to report any suspicious activity to the Department of Combating Economic Crimes at the hotline 992.

1 year ago

Bahrain: Hotel Turns Battleground as Woman Attacks Officer

A hotel reception turned into a battleground when a woman’s refusal to leave a public space escalated into a violent confrontation with police. The incident unfolded when staff at the hotel called authorities after the woman, who was not a guest, refused to vacate the reception area where she had been sleeping on a chair. Despite multiple requests, she remained in the hotel, prompting the intervention of the police. When a policewoman arrived to remove her, the woman allegedly exploded in fury, verbally abusing the officer and hurling a lamp at her. The attack didn’t end there. As she was handcuffed and restrained, the woman continued her tirade, subjecting the officer to both verbal and physical assault. The building’s manager supported the officers’ version of events, confirming that security had been alerted to the woman’s behavior. Meanwhile, the Public Prosecution has charged her with assaulting a public security officer, who sustained minor injuries that did not prevent her from returning to work. The woman also faces charges of verbally abusing a public employee and intentionally damaging hotel property. The case will continue on 28 January, where a lawyer is expected to be appointed for the defendant’s defence.

1 year ago

Qatar Airways Employee Arrested for Carrying Bullets At Lahore Airport

A passenger traveling on a Qatar Airways (QR) flight was offloaded at Allama Iqbal International Airport (LHE) in Lahore, Pakistan after Airport Security Force (ASF) discovered thirteen 9mm bullets in his laptop bag during a routine screening. The passenger, identified as Shan Sadiq, a Walton resident, was immediately apprehended and transferred to Sarwar Road Police Station. Qatar Airways Employee Arrested According to the First Information Report (FIR), Sadiq could not provide a valid license for the bullets. He claimed the ammunition was purchased under his father’s licensed arms and inadvertently left in his laptop bag. Sadiq, who works as a traffic assistant for Qatar Airways in Doha, was traveling on flight QR621 to Doha (DOH) at the time of the incident. Investigative details reveal that Sadiq had successfully passed through initial ASF security checks and immigration before the bullets were discovered during a final security screening. Authorities registered a case against him under Sections 13-2a of the 1965 Arms Act, citing unauthorized possession of ammunition. The case has been transferred to Sarwar Road Police for comprehensive investigation. Update: A Qatar Airways employee was later cleared to board the flight after he presented valid licenses to authorities. Click here to read more…

1 year ago

Kidnapped Co-Founder Of French Crypto Firm Ledger Had His Hand Mutilated

Mr David Balland, a co-founder of French crypto firm Ledger, had his hand mutilated while he and his wife were kidnapped, the Paris prosecutor said, adding that 10 people were being questioned following the freeing of the pair. Mr Balland and his wife were kidnapped early on Jan 21 morning from their home in central France, and were taken by car to two separate addresses where they were held captive, Paris Prosecutor Laure Beccuau said in a press conference on Jan 23. Mr Balland, who Ledger said no longer worked for the company, was rescued after a police operation on Jan 22 and his wife was freed the following day. During the kidnapping, the kidnappers contacted another Ledger co-founder and demanded a ransom in cryptocurrency, part of which was paid, Ms Beccuau said. The rescue operation involved more than 90 officers from the GIGN, one of France’s elite tactical police units, leading to Mr Balland’s freeing and the arrest of two people. Mr Balland was taken to hospital and treated for injuries to one of his hands, she said, without giving details. Mr Balland’s wife was found tied up but uninjured in a car on Jan 23. “We are deeply […]

1 year ago

Bahrain: Man Cleared Of Embezzlement Accusation

Doubts over mismatched car details and ownership records have cleared a 29-year-old man accused of embezzling a rental vehicle and owing BD1,530 in arrears. The court’s decision followed a compelling defence by lawyer Hanan bin Hammouda, who dismantled the prosecution’s claims by presenting evidence that contradicted the allegations. The charges alleged that between 2023 and 2024, in the Southern Governorate, the man rented a car from a company but failed to return it or pay the daily fee of BD8, resulting in overdue charges of BD1,530. However, Bin Hammouda argued that her client had returned the car and provided a criminal report to back up her claim. An employee of the rental company filed a complaint, claiming the defendant had not returned the car.

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Bahrain: Accountant Sentenced To Five Years For Embezzling Over BD40,000 From Gulf Air Academy

Five Get Jail Terms For $1.4 Million Traffic Fraud In Kuwait

Saudi: 5-Year Jail And Fine Of SR30 Million For Exporting Petroleum Products Without A License

ZATCA Thwarts Smuggling Of Over 1.4 Million Captagon Pills At Jeddah Islamic Port

Saudi Arabia Records Over 22,500 Residency, Labor, And Border Violations

Bahrain: Paper-To-Cash Scam Exposed: Two Arrested for Fraud

Bahrain: Hotel Turns Battleground as Woman Attacks Officer

Qatar Airways Employee Arrested for Carrying Bullets At Lahore Airport

Kidnapped Co-Founder Of French Crypto Firm Ledger Had His Hand Mutilated

Bahrain: Man Cleared Of Embezzlement Accusation

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Two Accused Of Assaulting Worker Over Car-Washing Turf Dispute In Sharjah

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