Kuwait Arrests Key Figures in Rigged Ya Hala Raffle Scam
- Publish date: since 2 day
In a bold move to tackle corruption, Kuwait's Criminal Security Sector, led by the General Department of Criminal Investigation’s Licensing Department, has successfully uncovered a major raffle manipulation scandal. The operation was sparked by a viral video that surfaced on social media, showing an individual cheating during the popular Ya Hala raffle draw.
A Scandal Uncovered
The individual in the video was identified as Ahmed Mohammed AlHamad, the Head of the Raffle Department at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. It soon became clear that AlHamad had used his position to rig several raffle draws, ensuring specific individuals won prizes—most notably cars—in exchange for financial rewards. This discovery set off a chain of investigations that revealed a more extensive, well-organized operation.
A Network of Corruption
The investigation soon uncovered that the raffle manipulations were not limited to AlHamad alone. Authorities found a network of individuals involved in tampering with numerous draws. Among the beneficiaries was Fatima Gamal Saad Diab, an Egyptian national and employee of the Al-Najat Charity Committee. Diab had fraudulently won five cars in her name, while her husband, Muhammad Abdul Salam Muhammad Al-Gharabli, who worked at Bab AlKuwait Press Company, also reaped the rewards of this illegal scheme, receiving two cars under his name.
The Arrests
After gathering enough evidence, the authorities obtained legal authorization and arrested the key players in this fraud. Ahmed Mohammed AlHamad was taken into custody, along with Fatima Gamal and her husband, Muhammad Abdul Salam. The couple was caught attempting to flee the country via Kuwait International Airport.
A Step Toward Transparency
This operation highlights Kuwait's commitment to ensuring transparency and fairness in all prize-based competitions. By cracking down on corruption, the authorities have sent a strong message that manipulation of any kind will not be tolerated.
As this case continues to unfold, it’s clear that the Kuwaiti government is taking serious steps to address fraud and protect the integrity of public contests. This operation serves as a reminder to always play fair and ensure that every draw is conducted with honesty and transparency.
