KIB Enhances Awareness of Fraud

Kuwait International Bank (KIB) continued its efforts to raise awareness about digital fraud by hosting Mustafa Murad, Assistant Manager in the Bank’s Information Security, Privacy, and Fraud Prevention Department, on the “Good Morning Kuwait” program on KTV2, Kuwait Television’s second channel. This participation supports the national campaign “Let’s Be Aware,” which highlighted sophisticated fraud methods and the precautions that should be taken when using digital services. Commenting on the importance of promoting financial literacy, Murad said, “As fraud methods evolve, awareness remains essential in helping individuals identify risks before falling victim to them. At KIB, through our active participation in the ‘Let’s Be Aware’ campaign, we reaffirm our commitment to fostering practical knowledge within society that empowers individuals to make informed decisions and exercise caution when dealing with any unknown requests, messages, or digital interactions.”

Murad emphasized that continuing awareness efforts is particularly important given the growing reliance of individuals on digital channels in their daily lives. He explained that familiarity with common fraud techniques and knowledge of preventive measures enable users to handle potential threats carefully, thereby ensuring the highest level of security for their personal and financial data.

During the interview, Murad explained how fraudsters exploit publicly shared information on social media platforms to study potential victims and gradually build trust before luring them into disclosing sensitive data. He also discussed AI-enabled impersonation through voice and video cloning, phishing messages impersonating government or commercial entities, and the misuse of one-time passwords (OTPs), stressing the need to verify any requests through official channels and to carefully read OTP messages before taking any action.

Murad also warned against using banking applications over public Wi-Fi networks, while outlining digital security practices for children and adolescents. Furthermore, he stressed the importance of not hesitating when suspecting any fraud attempt, urging customers who can still access their banking apps to secure the affected account and immediately contact the bank, providing all relevant details about the incident to facilitate follow-up and appropriate action.

It is worth noting that KIB’s participation in this television interview is part of its ongoing support for the “Let’s Be Aware” campaign, launched by the Central Bank of Kuwait in collaboration with the Kuwait Banks Association and local banks. The bank remains committed to further enhancing the campaign’s role in promoting banking awareness and reinforcing concepts related to financial safety and fraud prevention across all segments of society.