The Criminal Security Sector reported that its General Administration of Criminal Investigations uncovered the scam as part of sustained efforts to combat various crimes across the country. Investigations by the Jahra Governorate Investigation Department through its Salibiya office established that a furniture transportation company had rented an online platform and associated telephone number tied to one of a charity association’s projects. This arrangement was made through an employee of the association without the knowledge or approval of its board members according to the sector’s findings. The suspects then used the platform to solicit in-kind contributions including clothing electronic devices furniture and food supplies by misleading donors into believing the items would advance the project’s stated objectives.
Defendants received the donated materials through a network of representatives before diverting them for personal gain the Criminal Security Sector detailed in its account of the case. They sold the items in domestic markets or exported them abroad instead of channeling them toward charitable purposes as donors had been led to expect. The operation had been repeated systematically under the umbrella of the charitable project yielding consistent monthly returns estimated at KD 60,000 from the resale activities. Authorities identified and searched a warehouse operated by the company in the Umghara area where they secured the seized materials and initiated full legal proceedings against those involved.
This development follows the recent enactment of Decree-Law No. 87 of 2026 which the Ministry of Social Affairs described as a comprehensive framework to regulate charitable and humanitarian activities throughout Kuwait. The legislation introduced stricter licensing requirements for all fundraising campaigns dedicated bank accounts for donations and mandatory financial reporting to prevent misuse the ministry told the Kuwait News Agency last month. It also established the National Center for Charitable and Humanitarian Work along with the Kuwaiti Fund for Humanitarian Work to improve oversight and training while imposing penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment for unlicensed collection and seven years for the misappropriation of donated funds.
The Ministry of Social Affairs previously reported a nearly 70 percent reduction in donation-related violations during its most recent Ramadan campaign compared with earlier periods according to data released by the ministry in March. Inspection teams removed more than 140 unauthorized kiosks used for collecting used clothing during that drive many of which operated without any ministry approval or oversight. Such measures reflect broader enforcement of Cabinet resolutions that restrict collection activities to officially licensed headquarters and branches of recognized associations the ministry sources indicated at the time.
Kuwait maintains tight controls on charitable solicitations to safeguard both donors and beneficiaries from exploitation a priority reinforced by the new law’s prohibition on anonymous donations and unauthorized electronic campaigns. The Ministry of Social Affairs requires all charitable entities to align their operations with updated regulations within specified timelines following the law’s issuance last summer. This latest case highlights the challenges authorities face in monitoring online platforms that can be co-opted for fraudulent purposes the Criminal Security Sector assessment suggested through its handling of similar incidents.
The five arrested individuals have been referred to prosecutors for further action as the investigation into the full scope of the operation continues the General Administration of Criminal Investigations confirmed. No additional details on potential links to larger networks or the exact volume of donations diverted over time were released in the initial briefing. The sector emphasized that such cases undermine public trust in legitimate charitable work which remains an important aspect of Kuwaiti society supported by both citizens and residents.
