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Gulf Insider
16-05-2025
- Gulf Insider
2 Jailed, Deported for Stolen Card Phone Scam
Two sisters flew into Bahrain and, in the space of just three months, racked up 77 mobile phones using stolen credit cards from a Gulf country. Their ringleader, an Arab man still on the run, took care of the data side. The women handled the pickups and sales. The phones were delivered to their flat, and they sold the lot. Now the High Criminal Court has handed down a six-year sentence to the mastermind and fined him BD100,000. The sisters got four years each. The court also ordered the confiscation of BD21,846.639 in proceeds and ruled they be deported once they serve their time. Pattern The case came to light when a well-known electronics firm noticed a kept pouring in online. Payment came from an Arab country, but the boxes landed in Bahrain. Something didn't add up. A police lieutenant from the Financial Intelligence National Centre dug deeper. He found 77 phones, worth nearly BD31,000, had been bought through the same channels between September and December 2024. Orders The orders were traced to one address, the flat rented by the two women. They were arrested, questioned, and they talked. The sisters said they came to Bahrain after the lead suspect offered them a role helping shift smart devices. They each took home BD1,500, which they sent to family in the Gulf. They had local SIM cards registered in their names. They gave him their email addresses and flat details. The orders were made under their names. The scam, it seems, ran like clockwork. The ringleader fed stolen card data into the electronics shop's website. Once the phones arrived, the women sold them and wired the proceeds to him, sometimes through currency exchanges, sometimes using go-betweens. One of those helpers later said he agreed to send money on behalf of one of the sisters because she claimed her visit visa didn't allow direct transfers. She told him it was for her mother's medical treatment. A payment service worker added to the case, confirming that several banks had raised the alarm over dodgy payments tied to the same retailer. In total, BD31,081.366 had been charged to various cards issued by Gulf banks. Prosecutors said the transfers and the coordination pointed to a clear scam. They charged all three with laundering the proceeds of online fraud. Funds The main defendant was also charged with stealing funds by using card data he wasn't supposed to have. The sisters were accused of helping him by buying SIMs, renting a flat, and setting up the deliveries. Once the scam was up and running, they handed over the phones, took their slice, and sent the rest abroad. Also read: 44 Truckloads Of Waste From Illegal Manama Street Vendors Cleared
Daily Tribune
15-05-2025
- Daily Tribune
Two jailed, face deportation for purchasing 77 phones with stolen credit cards
Two sisters flew into Bahrain and, in the space of just three months, racked up 77 mobile phones using stolen credit cards from a Gulf country. Their ringleader, an Arab man still on the run, took care of the data side. The women handled the pickups and sales. The phones were delivered to their flat, and they sold the lot. Now the High Criminal Court has handed down a six-year sentence to the mastermind and fined him BD100,000. The sisters got four years each. The court also ordered the confiscation of BD21,846.639 in proceeds and ruled they be deported once they serve their time. Pattern The case came to light when a well-known electronics firm noticed a pattern. Orders kept pouring in online. Payment came from an Arab country, but the boxes landed in Bahrain. Something didn't add up. A police lieutenant from the Financial Intelligence National Centre dug deeper. He found 77 phones, worth nearly BD31,000, had been bought through the same channels between September and December 2024. Orders The orders were traced to one address, the flat rented by the two women. They were arrested, questioned, and they talked. The sisters said they came to Bahrain after the lead suspect offered them a role helping shift smart devices. They each took home BD1,500, which they sent to family in the Gulf. They had local SIM cards registered in their names. They gave him their email addresses and flat details. The orders were made under their names. The scam, it seems, ran like clockwork. The ringleader fed stolen card data into the electronics shop's website. Once the phones arrived, the women sold them and wired the proceeds to him, sometimes through currency exchanges, sometimes using go-betweens. One of those helpers later said he agreed to send money on behalf of one of the sisters because she claimed her visit visa didn't allow direct transfers. She told him it was for her mother's medical treatment. A payment service worker added to the case, confirming that several banks had raised the alarm over dodgy payments tied to the same retailer. In total, BD31,081.366 had been charged to various cards issued by Gulf banks. Prosecutors said the transfers and the coordination pointed to a clear scam. They charged all three with laundering the proceeds of online fraud. Funds The main defendant was also charged with stealing funds by using card data he wasn't supposed to have. The sisters were accused of helping him by buying SIMs, renting a flat, and setting up the deliveries. Once the scam was up and running, they handed over the phones, took their slice, and sent the rest abroad.
Bahrain News Gazette
12-05-2025
- Business
- Bahrain News Gazette
Bahrain and Syria Reaffirm Strong Bilateral Ties During Official Visit
Manama: Bahraini daily newspapers today focused on events that happened over the past 24 hours. Among the highlights, HM King received HE Syrian President to discuss relations, showing a focus on strengthening ties between the two nations. According to Bahrain News Agency, Bahrain and Syria have reaffirmed their strong bilateral ties during President Al-Sharaa's official visit. The visit included discussions aimed at enhancing cooperation in various sectors. Additionally, HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad bid farewell to the Syrian President, marking the end of the official visit. In related developments, HM King received a telephone call from the Saudi Crown Prince, further indicating Bahrain's ongoing diplomatic engagements in the region. Bahraini and Saudi education ministers also discussed cooperation, emphasizing regional collaboration in education. Moreover, Bahrain welcomed the US announcement of a ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan, highlighting its support for peace initiatives. In the intern ational arena, Bahrain participated in the PUIC conference in Indonesia and had a presence at the 40th MENAFATF plenary meeting through the Financial Intelligence National Centre. The Industry Minister's congratulation to Bahrain's commercial attaché on the UNCTAD vice chair appointment reflects the country's active participation in international forums. Furthermore, Bahrain's national pavilion at the 19th Venice Architecture Biennale was inaugurated, where Bahrain notably won the Golden Lion award, showcasing its achievements in architecture.
