The Criminal Security Sector responded to a complaint from a worker in the Shuwaikh Free Trade Zone who became suspicious when the man demanded identification and threatened enforcement action the security source said. Officers arriving at the scene determined that the Iraqi national was not connected to any official security body and had no authority to conduct such checks. The suspect was taken into custody immediately and transferred for further questioning to establish the full scope of his activities.
According to the security source the man had acquired forged credentials and attire resembling that of a CID detective in order to appear legitimate in the bustling commercial hub. He approached several expatriate laborers and business operators in the zone which serves as a key logistics and trading center handling significant import and export volumes. The source confirmed that investigators are reviewing surveillance footage and witness statements to assess whether any victims suffered financial losses or other harm during the encounters.
The Ministry of Interior has issued repeated warnings this year about the dangers of unverified individuals claiming security affiliations particularly in industrial and commercial districts a ministry statement issued in March indicated. Such impersonations frequently involve demands for documents or payments under the pretense of official duties the ministry added. Available ministry figures show a noticeable uptick in similar complaints over the past 18 months prompting awareness campaigns aimed at both local businesses and the expatriate workforce.
This case bears resemblance to an August arrest in which the General Department of Residence Affairs Investigations detained a Pakistani national who had similarly posed as a ministry officer while wearing a tailored uniform and carrying a fake badge according to a security source familiar with that probe. In the earlier incident authorities recovered multiple forged items from the suspect’s residence after a warrant was obtained from the Public Prosecution. Officials have stressed that genuine officers always carry verifiable identification and never solicit personal information or payments outside established government channels.
Investigators continue to determine if the Iraqi suspect operated independently or maintained connections that facilitated his access to counterfeit materials the security source stated. The free trade zone’s high concentration of foreign workers makes it especially vulnerable to such tactics which can erode trust in legitimate regulatory oversight. The suspect is expected to be referred to the Public Prosecution on charges including impersonation of a public servant and document forgery once initial questioning concludes.
Security officials have called on companies operating in the Shuwaikh Free Trade Zone to verify any purported official through the Sahel application or by contacting the relevant directorate directly a ministry circular distributed last year advised. The latest arrest forms part of broader efforts by the Criminal Security Sector to curb fraudulent activities that target economic zones and exploit regulatory gaps the security source noted. Similar convictions in prior cases have carried prison terms ranging from six months to several years depending on the extent of harm caused.
