The General Authority for Communications and Information Technology released its third-quarter statistics on October 26, showing 621 total reports of fraud and scams handled during the period. Its figures show websites accounted for the largest portion with 276 complaints, followed by social media platforms at 163 cases. Phone calls generated 104 reports, WhatsApp produced 76 and text messages registered just two, with the authority noting that websites and social media together represented about 70.7 percent of the overall total.
According to the authority, the data underscores the prominent role digital platforms now play in fraud attempts targeting Kuwait residents. The authority called on the public to report suspicious messages, links or calls without delay while refraining from sharing personal data with any unverified sources. Officials stressed the importance of verifying the legitimacy of any online request before responding or providing information.
A separate assessment covering prior years by the Interior Ministry’s cybercrime department, which coordinates with the authority, documented a clear upward trend in such incidents. Cyber fraud cases climbed from 1,000 in 2020 to 1,250 in 2021, then to 1,800 in 2022, 1,900 in 2023 and 3,000 in 2024 before reaching 3,500 last year. The authority’s latest release fits within this pattern of increasing complaints channeled through online vectors.
In August 2024 the Interior Ministry, working alongside the authority, blocked 392 fraudulent websites including 52 that falsely claimed to offer domestic worker recruitment services, a KUNA dispatch reported at the time. That operation also disabled 662 fraudulent WhatsApp numbers, the majority of which impersonated a well-known company. Such actions reflect sustained efforts to disrupt the infrastructure used in these schemes before they inflict further financial harm.
The authority maintains a joint operations room with local banks and the Public Prosecution to monitor complaints in real time, trace illicit transfers and facilitate the blocking of scam domains. Regional reporting indicates this framework has enabled the removal of more than 2,500 fake websites and 3,500 associated phone numbers since 2023 while protecting around $16 million in potential losses. Continued collaboration between the authority, financial institutions and law enforcement remains central to addressing the evolving tactics employed by fraud networks.
Public awareness campaigns by the authority have repeatedly highlighted common indicators of fraudulent activity, including unsolicited requests for banking details or payments routed through unfamiliar platforms. Citizens and residents are advised to use only official government applications such as Kuwait Mobile ID for verifications and to cross-check website addresses carefully before any transaction. The authority reiterated its dedicated WhatsApp hotline and social media channels as the proper avenues for submitting reports of suspected scams.
