Kuwait: Enhancing Arab security cooperation to combat cross-border cybercrimes

- Colonel Al-Hamoud: Developing proactive monitoring systems and leveraging artificial intelligence for early detection of fraud methods

- 493 cases of electronic fraud registered, 1,090 phone numbers disconnected, and 790 fraudulent websites blocked in 2026

Kuwait reaffirms its commitment to strengthening Arab security cooperation to combat cybercrime

Kuwait reaffirmed on Wednesday its commitment to developing its security apparatus to combat cybercrime and enhance cooperation, information exchange, and expertise sharing with Arab countries to address security challenges arising from the rapid evolution of criminal methods, particularly cross-border cybercrimes.

This was stated by Colonel Hamad Al-Hamoud, Assistant Director of the Cybercrime Combating Department at Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior and head of the Kuwaiti delegation participating in the Third Conference of Arab Interior Ministry Officials Responsible for Combating Information Technology Crimes, in a statement to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA).

Colonel Al-Hamoud added that the General Directorate of Criminal Investigation, represented by the Cybercrime Combating Department, possesses specialized and trained human resources equipped with the latest methods of electronic investigation, digital evidence collection and analysis, and handling various types of cybercrimes. This is achieved through continuous training, enhancing the capabilities of specialized security teams, and developing their technical skills in proactive monitoring and detecting emerging criminal patterns and methods.

He noted that the Cybercrime Combating Department is working to develop security monitoring and analysis mechanisms and utilize artificial intelligence technologies for early detection of criminal indicators. Additionally, it has established joint virtual rooms with relevant commercial companies and government entities to enhance coordination, information exchange, proactive monitoring of electronic criminal activities, analysis of fraud indicators, and taking preventive measures to reduce their occurrence.

He highlighted that Kuwait pays special attention to combating electronic fraud and scamming through coordination with government agencies, financial institutions, and telecommunications companies, strengthening security, technical, regulatory, and legislative measures to address emerging fraud methods and protect society.

In this context, he referred to a speech by First Lieutenant Engineer Sultan Al-Anzi from the Cybercrime Combating Department, which outlined Kuwait’s efforts in combating electronic fraud and scamming in 2026. These efforts included registering 493 cases of electronic fraud and scamming, disconnecting 1,090 phone numbers used in fraudulent activities, blocking 790 fraudulent websites, recovering more than 300 electronic accounts, and providing technical assistance.

Al-Hamoud emphasized that the Kuwaiti participation highlights prominent criminal methods, including impersonation of official entities, direct financial fraud, and investment and commercial fraud, alongside new security initiatives. These include establishing joint virtual rooms with relevant commercial companies and government entities, developing a unified platform for telephone fraud reports, enhancing proactive monitoring capabilities using artificial intelligence technologies, and presenting regulatory and legislative initiatives related to the anticipated Digital Commerce Law and combating bank forgery and phone billing fraud.

Colonel Al-Humoud concluded his statement by emphasizing that combating cross-border cybercrime requires the integration of Arab security efforts, enhanced exchange of information and technical expertise, and the development of human and technical capacities. It also necessitates a shift from traditional countermeasures to proactive security systems capable of early detection of criminal activities and taking necessary measures to prevent crimes and mitigate their impacts, thereby contributing to strengthening cybersecurity and protecting Arab societies.

The conference, held at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the Arab Ministers of Interior Council in Tunisia over two days, is examining several key topics, including the preparation of a model organizational structure for specialized agencies combating information technology crimes, the utilization of artificial intelligence technologies in combating electronic financial fraud, as well as reviewing emerging criminal methods and cases identified by member states, alongside the exchange of experiences and security expertise to enhance the capacities of specialized agencies.

Representing the State of Kuwait at the conference, alongside Colonel Hamad Al-Humoud, are Major Abar Bahaani from the General Directorate of International Relations, and First Lieutenant Engineer Sultan Al-Anzi from the Cybercrime Combat Department.