Kuwait City – Authorities in Kuwait have uncovered a large-scale raffle scam orchestrated by a senior government official and his associates, leading to multiple arrests and an ongoing international manhunt.
The Ministry of Interior’s Criminal Security Sector launched an investigation after a viral video exposed irregularities in a raffle draw, ultimately implicating Ahmed Mohammed Al-Hamad, a Kuwaiti national and the head of sweepstakes at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
In a statement, the Ministry of Interior confirmed that Al-Hamad had exploited his position to systematically manipulate multiple sweepstakes held by various companies, ensuring that specific individuals won prizes in exchange for financial compensation.
The elaborate scheme allowed fraudulent participants to claim valuable prizes, including vehicles. Further investigations revealed a well-organized network involved in the fraudulent activities.
Among those implicated was an Egyptian national, Fatima Jaman Saad Diab, who had won multiple raffle prizes, including five vehicles registered in her name and two others under her husband’s name.
Both Fatima and her husband, Mohamed Abdel Salam Mohamed Al-Ghrabali, were arrested at Kuwait International Airport while attempting to leave the country.
During questioning, Fatima admitted to being involved in the scheme through her husband, who was allegedly assured by a work colleague that a Dominican national, Saleh Majid Faris Khamis, could guarantee a win in exchange for payments ranging from 200 to 600 Kuwaiti dinars.
Investigators found that Al-Hamad worked in coordination with Saleh to manipulate the draws, agreeing to split the proceeds among themselves.
The investigation further implicated Mohamed Sobhi El-Sayed, the work colleague who initially facilitated the fraudulent transactions.
Both El-Sayed and Saleh managed to flee the country before law enforcement intervened. Kuwaiti authorities are now working with Interpol to track their whereabouts and bring them to justice.
The Ministry of Interior has identified several other fraudulent winners who benefited from the scam, and legal measures are being taken against them.
Authorities emphasized that maximum legal penalties will be imposed on all individuals involved to uphold justice and deter similar crimes in the future.
The revelation has sparked widespread outrage in Kuwait, with many calling for stricter oversight of sweepstakes and prize draws.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has pledged to implement tighter security measures to prevent future fraud and ensure transparency in all contests.
As the investigation continues, Kuwaiti authorities remain committed to dismantling the fraudulent network and holding all responsible parties accountable.
The case serves as a stark warning against corruption and underscores the government’s determination to safeguard public trust in official processes.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members