The Criminal Investigation Department in Damascus arrested a transnational Syrian women's gang after they defrauded a Kuwaiti citizen of $950,000 through a staged kidnapping scheme involving a man named (Kh.B.).
According to the case details, the gang lured the victim (Y.A.) by convincing him that a sick Kuwaiti citizen was in Syria. The story then escalated to a claim of kidnapping and a ransom demand, which was collected through money transfers and intermediaries.
According to the victim's testimony, the events began in late 2024 when he received a call from someone who identified himself as Dr. (Kh.B.), requesting assistance in treating patients. Shortly after, the caller informed him that he had suffered a stroke and was hospitalized in Damascus, after which a series of financial demands began.
Later, three women joined the conversation, requesting additional sums under the pretext of medical treatment and travel. The narrative then shifted to claims of kidnapping by ISIS and the SDF, a gunshot wound, and demands for a ransom for his release.
The victim confirmed that he continued transferring funds for over six months out of humanitarian motives, before discovering that the entire affair was fabricated and that he was the victim of an organized scam.
Authorities have currently detained M.K., N.D., and M.D. The first defendant confessed to the crime and provided audio recordings that supported the investigation.
The case reveals a sophisticated model of transnational fraud that relies on building trust through humanitarian work, then transforming it into a tool for systematic financial extortion.
Zaman al-Wasl
Comments About This Article
Please fill the fields below.