Interior Ministry dismantles external criminal gang specializing in financial fraud
The Ministry of Interior announced today that, as part of continuous security efforts to combat forgery and financial fraud, the General Directorate of Criminal Investigation, represented by the Financial Crimes Prevention Department, dismantled an external criminal syndicate engaged in forging customary documents and exploiting them to file false financial claims before courts, with the aim of unlawfully seizing the funds of citizens and residents.
The Ministry detailed that the case originated from a report by a citizen stating that an enforceable court judgment had been issued against him regarding a financial claim, despite no prior relationship or dealings between him and the plaintiff. This prompted immediate investigative work, fact-finding, and evidence collection.
Investigations revealed the criminal modus operandi of the syndicate. The main suspect exploited his previous employment at a car rental company to obtain signatures from citizens and residents on blank documents and promissory notes under the pretext of completing rental procedures. He retained these documents and left the country before they were used to prepare false financial claims and submit them to the judiciary.
It was also revealed that the main suspect’s sister was responsible for submitting the forged documents and customary papers, filing the financial claims, and collecting the awarded amounts after court judgments were issued. She was arrested, and authorities seized a number of promissory notes, customary documents, and bank receipts from local banks in her possession. Investigations further showed that the syndicate had filed more than 130 financial claims using the same criminal method.
The Ministry of Interior urged citizens and residents to exercise caution and avoid signing any blank promissory notes, documents, or papers, or handing over signatures beyond what is necessary for the transaction. It emphasized the importance of ensuring all details are filled in before signing, to protect their rights and prevent exploitation for false financial claims or fraudulent activities.
