Electronic Fraud: Asian Worker Jailed, Fined, and Facing Deportation Over Fake Payments Scam

The First High Criminal Court has sentenced a 40-year-old Asian restaurant worker to several years in prison, fined him BD 1,000, and ordered his deportation after completing his sentence, following his conviction for electronic fraud.

According to the Public Prosecution, the defendant used stolen bank cards issued by foreign banks to pay electricity and water bills totaling BD 2,453. He unlawfully accessed banking systems and exploited verification codes belonging to the cardholders, enabling him to fraudulently seize funds.

Charges and Investigation
The prosecution charged him with using an electronic signature belonging to others, illegally accessing information systems, and attempting to obtain money through fraudulent means.

The investigation began after a payment company reported suspicious activity involving stolen cards used to pay utility bills. The company later discovered that the transactions were made using cards reported stolen abroad.

Upon interrogation, the defendant admitted to settling bills for others in exchange for cash, claiming that an accomplice had provided the stolen cards and carried out some of the payments.

However, the court found sufficient evidence linking him directly to the fraudulent transactions and convicted him accordingly.