'Fak Kurba' facilitates the release of 511 financially distressed inmates
This effort has brought hope to the families of the released individuals and given them an opportunity for a fresh start.
The highest number of released cases was in North Al Batinah Governorate with 169 cases, followed by South Al Batinah with 85, Al Dakhiliyah with 73, and South Al Sharqiyah with 57. Other included 49 cases in Al Dhahirah, 29 in Muscat, 18 in North Al Sharqiyah, 14 in Al Wusta, and three in Al Buraimi.
Dr. Hamad bin Hamdan Al-Rubaie, Chairman of the Oman Lawyers Association, emphasised that this achievement would not have been possible without the collective support of the Omani community, including individuals and institutions, who generously contributed to the initiative.
He highlighted this as a shining example of social solidarity that distinguishes Omani society and called for continued support for the initiative.
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When maintenance issues arise, the fake agent directs tenants to contact the owner directly, absolving himself of any agency management responsibilities while continuing to collect his illicit profits. Unfortunately corruption extends beyond property rentals into employment practices, where similar patterns of deception target expatriate workers. Employers lure foreign workers to Oman with comprehensive contracts promising accommodation, competitive salaries and other benefits. Upon arrival, these workers discover that their promised accommodations have vanished, their salaries have been reduced or their employment terms have been unilaterally modified. This bait-and-switch tactic leaves expatriate workers in particularly vulnerable positions, as they often lack the local knowledge, resources or legal connections necessary to seek redress through Oman's Court system. Despite Oman's deserved reputation for maintaining a well-organised and comprehensive legal framework, these fraudulent operators continue their activities with relative impunity. The gap between the country's robust legal infrastructure and the enforcement of regulations against these small-scale but systematic fraudsters represents a significant challenge to market integrity. The reluctance or inability to bring these cases before the Courts allows the perpetrators to operate without meaningful consequences, emboldening others to adopt similar tactics and perpetuating a cycle of corruption that undermines confidence in Oman's property and employment markets. This widespread fraud creates multiple layers of harm across Omani society. Tenants pay inflated rents while believing they're receiving discounts. Property owners receive below-market rates for their assets while paying unnecessary commissions. 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