Kuwait arrests three, unveils network involved in rigging raffle draws’ results

Kuwaiti authorities have arrested three accused of rigging raffle draws’ results in exchange for financial gains.

A video that went viral on social media showing an individual manipulating a raffle draw led the Criminal Security Sector at the country’s Ministry of Interior to investigations that identified the man as Ahmed Mohammed Al-Hamad, a Kuwaiti national who is head of sweepstakes at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

“He had exploited his position to systematically manipulate multiple sweepstakes held by companies offering prizes, ensuring that specific individuals won in exchange for financial gains,” the Ministry of Interior said.

Further investigations unveiled a network involved in manipulations of many raffles. It included an Egyptian national identified as Fatima Jaman Saad Diab who won multiple prizes in raffles including five vehicles under her name and two others under her husband’s name.

Fatima and her husband, an Egyptian national named Mohamed Abdel Salam Mohamed Al-Ghrabali, were arrested for fraudulent wins before attempting to leave the country via Kuwait International Airport.

Fatima admitted that she was involved in these rigging schemes through her husband who was assured by a work colleague that a Dominican national named Saleh Majid Faris Khamis could guarantee a win—provided that the prize was relinquished in exchange for a sum ranging between 200 and 600 Kuwaiti dinars.

Al Hamad also confessed of rigging the raffle draws’ results in coordination with Saleh and said they agreed to split the proceeds.

The work colleague, named Mohamed Sobhi El-Sayed, and Saleh left Kuwait. Efforts are currently underway by Kuwaiti authorities to track them through Interpol.

The Ministry of Interior also said other ‘winners’ were identified in the investigations and necessary legal measure are being taken against them.

It emphasised that maximum legal penalties will be enforced against the accused to ensure justi