KUWAIT CITY, March 26: The Counterfeiting and Forgery Investigations Department of the Criminal Security Sector, under the leadership of Major General Hamed Al-Dawas, has referred an Asian expatriate to the Public Prosecution on charges of counterfeiting Kuwaiti currency. The case file includes 19,000 Kuwaiti dinars in counterfeit banknotes (denominations of 20 and 10 dinars) from the fifth edition of the currency.
Details of the Crime
Investigations revealed that the accused, who worked at the Central Bank of Kuwait, believed his position would enable him to fraudulently exchange the counterfeit fifth-edition notes for authentic sixth-edition currency. According to a security source, the Central Bank initially detained the suspect after discovering he owned the fake money.
Upon receiving the report, counterfeiting and forgery detectives swiftly took the expatriate and the seized counterfeit notes to the Criminal Security headquarters for interrogation. During questioning, the accused admitted to exploiting the currency replacement initiative, which phases out the fifth-edition notes. He allegedly printed the fake currency, intending to exchange it before the April 18 deadline, after which old notes would no longer be eligible for replacement.
Broader Schemes and Accomplices
The suspect claimed he believed his connections at the Central Bank would help him avoid detection, as the old currency was meant to be destroyed rather than recirculated. However, investigators are now examining whether he had previously succeeded in exchanging counterfeit money for real currency.
Further interrogations led to the confession of accomplices who assisted in printing the fake banknotes. Authorities have since arrested these individuals, and all suspects remain under investigation. The Public Prosecution will conduct a fresh inquiry into the case to determine the full extent of the operation.
Central Bank’s Warning
The Central Bank of Kuwait has reiterated that April 18, 2025, is the final deadline for exchanging fifth-edition currency. After this date, holders of the old notes will no longer be able to convert them into the new sixth-edition currency. The bank has also urged the public to remain vigilant against counterfeit money and report any suspicious financial activities.
This case highlights ongoing efforts by Kuwaiti authorities to combat financial fraud and maintain the integrity of the national currency. Further updates will follow as the investigation progresses.
