Abu Dhabi: Suspected Kuwaiti influencers are proudly showing off their offences, Kuwaiti media have reported.
Ten Kuwaiti social media influencers are on the radars of the Kuwaiti state security agency after their bank accounts showed massively inflated balance, Kuwaiti media reported.
“All crimes are hidden by the perpetrators, but some Kuwaiti influencers are proud of what they gain out of money laundering, document their offences by audio and video clips,” the source told Al Qabas.
Kuwait’s Public Prosecution has received ten complaints against five influencers after their bank accounts dramatically inflated and summons warrants will be issued once state security intelligence is gathered.
The source said the bank account of a suspected influencer was dramatically inflated to KD20 million ($65 million), other suspected influencers had their accounts inflated to up to KD10 million ($32.5 million).
“Initial information and investigations confirmed the suspicion of money laundering, indicating that the value of advertisement bills that some celebrities get cannot lead to such bank account inflation and owning villas, yachts, jewellery, precious watches and presenting gifts worth tens of thousands dianrs,” the source said.
The recent bust of a money laundering gang in Kuwait masterminded by an Iranian in collusion with others, including Kuwaitis, helped disclose the secret of the sudden fortune some social media influencers have made, Kuwaiti media reported.
Informed sources told Al Rai the mastermind of the money laundering network holds Iranian nationality and among the accused are a number of Kuwaitis and Kurds.
Investigations revealed wide-ranging relations between the accused with others, who formed other subnets of suspicious financial operations, the sources said.
The investigations also linked the Iranian mastermind of this network to a high profile defendant in the human trafficking and money laundering case involving Bangladeshi member of parliament, Mohammad Shahid Islam, taken in custody pending trial.
Lifting immunity
The Kuwaiti Public Prosecution has demanded the parliament lift immunity of two members of parliament, Saadoun Hammad and Salah Khorshid in connection with the case of human trafficking and money laundering, in which Islam is accused.
The common factor among these money laundering rings is luxury cars, watches, precious jewellery and yachts, which are one of the most important means to conceal money laundering operations.
The sources said one of the media influencers suspected of money laundering, recently bought a watch valued at approximately KD80,000 (approximately $260,000) through an auction. Another suspected celebrity has been keen, during travel to European countries, to ship luxury cars to show off there, especially in London.
The sources revealed that another influencer, who is a close friend close a sheikh, was promoting luxury cars owned by the Iranian mastermind of the money laundering gang, noting that investigations showed there were financial transactions between him and one of the accused in the case of the Bangladeshi MP.
Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior said a money laundering ring has been dismantled, with police arresting two suspects and seizing valuable assets in a massive operation across the country.
Police confiscated several valuable assets including luxury, classic cars, motorbikes, expensive watches and jewellery, sums of money in different currencies, and boxes of alcoholic drinks.
The relevant bodies have arrested one suspected ring member at Kuwait International Airport prior to his departure from the country, police said.
Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, has addressed his concerns over attempts being made to portray Kuwait as a hotbed for corruption.
The Emir called upon the Kuwait Anti-Corruption Authority to contain the spread of false accusations and unjust campaigns with regard to corruption in Kuwait.