Egypt arrests school owner accused of taking loans using parents’ personal data

Dubai: Egyptian police have arrested the owner of a private school in Cairo on suspicion of using parents’ personal information to obtain education loans in their names without their knowledge or consent, the Interior Ministry said.

The investigation was launched after complaints by parents circulated on television shows, news websites and social media, alleging that the school administration had used their personal data to secure financing from a consumer finance company.

Five parents filed a formal complaint on August 19, saying the administration of the school, located in Cairo’s First Settlement district, had used their details and those of other parents to obtain education loans without their authorisation.

Police investigations found that copies of parents’ national identity cards, which had been submitted as part of student affairs files, were allegedly used to process the loans, the ministry said.

Security forces subsequently arrested the school owner, who police said had a previous criminal record.

According to the Interior Ministry, the owner admitted during questioning to carrying out the alleged scheme and using parents’ information to obtain the education loans cited in the complaints.

Authorities have taken legal action and referred the case to the relevant prosecution authorities.

Prosecutors are continuing their investigation to establish the full circumstances of the case, determine how many parents may have been affected and establish legal responsibility.