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Arab Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Arab Times
207 Called Themselves 'Ana Kuwaiti' ...But DNA Revealed the Truth
KUWAIT CITY, July 25: In what is now being called one of the largest and most methodically dismantled cases of citizenship fraud in Kuwait's history, the nationality of 207 individuals has been officially revoked after an intense year-long investigation uncovered a sprawling network of identity forgery, primarily involving individuals of Syrian origin. The elaborate scheme, which authorities say spanned years and infiltrated official family registries, was cracked open thanks to an anonymous tip-off in July 2024 that triggered a domino effect of interrogations, DNA testing, and international cooperation. The Tip That Sparked the Storm It all began quietly last summer, when Kuwaiti security authorities received intelligence about a man named Qassem, a naturalized Kuwaiti suspected of fraudulently acquiring citizenship. According to the tip, Qassem was not Kuwaiti at all—but in fact, a Syrian national. Preliminary inquiries quickly confirmed that Qassem had a sister living in Kuwait, married to another Syrian man working in the contracting sector. When Qassem's name was flagged, investigators discovered he had already fled the country, raising suspicions further. His sister was promptly summoned for questioning. Under pressure, she admitted Qassem was her brother and confirmed his Kuwaiti citizenship status. She insisted, however, that their relationship had long since deteriorated and that she had no knowledge of his current whereabouts. DNA Uncovers Hidden Kinship Undeterred by Qassem's disappearance, investigators turned their attention to his children, one of whom is reportedly serving as a Kuwaiti officer. DNA samples were collected and compared to Qassem's sister and her husband. The results were indisputable: the children were biologically related to the Syrian couple, further validating Qassem's non-Kuwaiti origins. The Shocking Scale of the Fraud Digging deeper, authorities turned their focus to Qassem's official family file. It listed 22 names, allegedly all siblings. Of these, 16 individuals were genuine Kuwaiti citizens who confirmed their identities and tribal affiliation. But six names (including Qassem) were complete fabrications, added illegally to the file without the real family's knowledge. Investigators now realized they were dealing with a calculated and large-scale operation of identity infiltration. Tracing the Forged Network The true identities of the other five fake siblings remained unknown, as none of the legitimate family members could identify them. To unmask these individuals, a tripartite task force was formed between the Nationality Investigation Department, the Syrian authorities, and the Central Agency for Illegal Residents (Bedoon). It emerged that all five individuals, like Qassem, had either stateless or Syrian relatives residing in Kuwait. And all had vanished abroad following the initial investigation—presumably to avoid capture. Unmasking the Imposters By May 2025, two of the five remaining forgers had been positively identified through cross-border cooperation. Their citizenships (along with Qassem's and those of their direct relatives) were immediately revoked. To identify the final three, authorities undertook a series of DNA tests on their children residing in Kuwait. These samples were then matched with paternal and maternal relatives, particularly among Syrian and stateless families, leading to the same conclusive result: the individuals were biologically linked to Syrian families, not Kuwaiti ones. The Final Sweep: Citizenship Revoked from 207 People With solid genetic and documentary proof, the Supreme Nationality Investigation Committee acted swiftly, conducting a full 'disassembly' of all the forged files. Citizenship was stripped from 104 individuals in a final batch, while 103 others had their status revoked earlier as evidence was confirmed. Breakdown of the revocations: Zero Tolerance for Identity Fraud The Kuwaiti government has made it clear that any forgery uncovered (backdated) will be pursued with full legal force. Officials noted that comprehensive dismantling of fraudulent family links, marriages, and dependencies will continue as necessary. Authorities emphasized that citizenship is a matter of national security and identity, and anyone proven to have obtained it through deception will be held accountable—regardless of their current role, residency, or status. This case serves as a stark reminder of Kuwait's commitment to preserving the sanctity of its national records and taking decisive action against fraudsters who manipulate lineage and legal status for personal or economic gain.
Arab Times
6 days ago
- Arab Times
Double Life Unravels: Gulf Identity Fraudster Loses Kuwaiti Citizenship
KUWAIT CITY, July 24: A Kuwaiti man accused of real estate fraud in Turkey has had his citizenship officially revoked, authorities confirmed this week, following revelations that he had used a forged identity and falsified nationality documents in his overseas dealings. The story began circulating on social media after a photo of the suspect's Kuwaiti ID card went viral, prompting speculation and public outrage. However, well-informed sources revealed that the man's file had already been submitted weeks earlier to the Supreme Committee for Citizenship Investigation and thoroughly examined before the photo even emerged online. 'The decision to revoke his Kuwaiti citizenship had already been made,' a source confirmed, 'following full legal procedures and a comprehensive review of his fraudulent activities abroad.' The individual is said to have manipulated his identity during foreign travel and business transactions, which played a significant role in the decision. All formal steps have been completed, sources added, and his name is now awaiting inclusion in one of the official decrees that periodically announce citizenship revocations in Kuwait's Official Gazette. Second Shock: DNA Test Unmasks Another Citizenship Forger In a separate but equally alarming case, Kuwaiti authorities have uncovered another citizenship forgery, this time involving a man who reportedly holds dual citizenship, with official papers issued by Kuwait and a Gulf country. According to confidential reports submitted to the Nationality Investigation Department, the suspect's travel patterns raised red flags: he spent significantly more time outside Kuwait than within, casting doubt on the legitimacy of his citizenship. A deep dive into his legal status triggered a DNA test, comparing the man's genetic profile with that of his so-called father as registered in Kuwait's official records. The results were damning; there was no biological relationship between the two. The shocking discovery confirmed suspicions that the individual had fraudulently obtained Kuwaiti nationality. As a result, his citizenship was revoked, as well as that of his sole dependent—a son—who had also benefited from the falsified lineage. These revelations form part of an ongoing nationwide effort by Kuwait to tighten controls on citizenship fraud, amid growing concerns over identity manipulation and abuse of state benefits. Officials have reaffirmed their commitment to upholding the integrity of Kuwaiti nationality laws, stating that any individual found guilty of forging identity or family ties will face legal consequences and full revocation of citizenship rights.
Arab Times
21-07-2025
- Arab Times
You Won't Believe How Thousands Gained Citizenship in Kuwait!
KUWAIT CITY, July 21: With the revocation of citizenship from 440 individuals in a single case recently, the total number affected in the largest case to date has reached 1,060, following the revocation of citizenship from 620 people in related cases. Informed sources described this case as a 'cluster bomb.' They explained that the new case, which the Nationality Investigation Committee resolved recently, is connected to previous cases and described it as 'stranger than fiction'. The case involves a father whose sons are older than he by eight, ten, and eleven years, respectively. It includes 440 individuals, all linked to earlier cases involving 620 people whose citizenship had previously been revoked. The father, born in 1940, had 22 children registered under him, including seven forged children: the first (A) born in 1948, the second (R) born in 1951, the third (F) born in 1953, the fourth (Kh) born in 1954, the fifth (A) born in 1951, the sixth (M) born in 1953, and the seventh (H) born in 1950. The father himself had obtained Kuwaiti citizenship through forgery and subsequently added forged individuals to his file. Investigations and evidence revealed that these forgers had completely different four-part Gulf names, but their fathers' and grandfathers' names were identical for all of them in Kuwait. These forgers were considered brothers in Kuwait, but in their actual Gulf country, they were strangers with no familial connection other than belonging to the same tribe. The forged father's file includes 24 people falsely registered as his 13 sons and 11 daughters. These 13 sons, in turn, have a total of 416 individuals registered as their sons and daughters. In 2024, Army Intelligence arrested a soldier on suspicion of forgery. It was discovered that he held Gulf documents under a name completely different from his Kuwaiti name. He admitted that his father was related to a Kuwaiti citizen and provided Army Intelligence with his father's real documents. The file was then transferred to the Nationality Investigation Department. After confirming the documents were forged, his citizenship and that of his children were revoked. Investigators also examined the file of his uncle (his father's brother), who held Kuwaiti documents. They summoned the father's seven living brothers, who admitted that their father had added fake children to the records, though these were his real sons. DNA testing confirmed that the seven were indeed siblings. However, all eight individuals registered as children on their late father's file were investigated. DNA tests proved these eight children were not biologically related to the man they were registered as sons of. The man, born in 1940, was found to be one of the eight forgers and was excluded from the list of heirs.
Arab Times
19-07-2025
- Arab Times
Probe finds 119 persons having ‘fake' Kuwait citizenship
KUWAIT CITY, July 19: A citizenship forgery case that had been dormant since 2008 was revived following a report received through the Nationality Investigation Department hotline, leading to the revocation of the Kuwaiti citizenship of 119 individuals confirmed to have obtained the citizenship fraudulently. Sources revealed the case involves a Gulf national suspected of acquiring Kuwaiti citizenship through fraudulent means, in violation of Article One of the Nationality Law. Sources said the tip-off received through the hotline of the department triggered an intensive investigation of the individual and his descendants. Sources stated that the department affirmed that every communication received through its hotline is treated seriously and undergoes scrutiny to verify legitimacy and rule out malicious intent. 'The department also checks the background of the reporting party in line with its standard protocol,' sources added. The investigation revealed that the individual in question was the subject of a formal letter sent by his Gulf country to Kuwaiti authorities back in 2008. The letter included his Gulf citizenship information, family details, and national identification number, and requested clarification on how he acquired Kuwaiti nationality and whether his father held Kuwaiti citizenship. At the time, Kuwaiti authorities responded, acknowledging that the individual fraudulently obtained Kuwaiti citizenship and that he was using two completely different names -- one under his Gulf nationality and another under Kuwaiti identity. Despite this evidence, the case was inexplicably closed without further action. Further inquiries revealed that two of the man's grandchildren had their Kuwaiti citizenship revoked in separate decisions -- one in 2016 and the other in 2024. Upon a thorough review of the file, it was found that a total of 119 individuals -- all associated with the original citizenship forger -- had also fraudulently obtained Kuwaiti nationality and have now had it revoked. The investigation is ongoing into other dependents linked to the case. Authorities have affirmed that all the necessary legal and administrative measures will be taken based on the final findings.
Gulf Insider
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Insider
Kuwait Uncovers Largest Citizenship Fraud In History
Kuwait has revoked the citizenship of more than 1,060 individuals in what is being described as the largest nationality fraud operation in the country's history, following an intensive investigation that uncovered decades-long networks of forged identities and falsified records. The investigation was led by the Supreme Committee for the Investigation of Kuwaiti Nationality, in coordination with the Ministry of Interior's Nationality Investigation Department. The campaign uncovered decades-old fraud networks involving forged identities, false family claims, and dual nationalities, local newspaper Al Rai reported. Kuwaiti authorities reopened a dormant 2008 case last year following a tipoff. It involved a man born in 1956 who assumed a false Kuwaiti identity while holding Gulf citizenship. Despite confessing in 2006, he remained on official records and added 44 children and 122 dependents to his profile over time. DNA tests later confirmed he was not related to many of them, triggering mass revocations. Another case involved a deceased individual born in 1940, under whose name 440 people had illegally acquired Kuwaiti nationality. These were revoked in one session during the committee's most recent meeting. In total, around 700 revocations were issued in the latest round, across four major files. Sixteen individuals were found to hold dual Gulf or Arab nationalities in violation of citizenship rules. The investigation, covering cases between 2000 and 2025, involved DNA analysis, record audits, and foreign government correspondence. Officials said revocations were based on verified documentation.
