Bahrain Strengthens National Defences Against Organised Financial Fraud

Bahrain has taken a significant step toward strengthening its national response to organised financial fraud, launching a high-level forum aimed at boosting the Kingdom’s investigative and legal capabilities.

The opening session of the Forum on Enhancing National Capabilities to Combat Organised Fraud, held at the Judicial and Legal Studies Institute in Seef, brought together senior judges, academic experts, financial regulators, Central Bank officials, members of the Public Prosecution, a judicial delegation from Egypt, and representatives from The BENEFIT Company.

The gathering highlighted a unified national resolve: to safeguard public and private wealth against increasingly advanced criminal operations.

Reinforcing National Systems

Attorney General Ali bin Fadhel Al Buainain inaugurated the forum by emphasising the growing complexity of modern fraud schemes. He noted that today’s criminal networks operate with global reach and sophisticated tools, posing threats to economic stability, investor confidence, and public trust.

He stressed the need for adaptive legislation, advanced investigative frameworks, and a national system capable of responding quickly and effectively to evolving risks.

Safeguarding Security and Stability

Judge Dr. Hatem Fouad, Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for the GCC Region, linked financial crime to broader national security concerns. He highlighted the importance of resilient institutions, societal cohesion, and strong educational platforms that enable individuals to identify and resist manipulation.

Protecting political and economic systems, he said, requires a unified national approach that blends legal, social, and operational strategies.

AI-Driven Deception on the Rise

Dr. Khaled Siyyam, CEO of the Judicial and Legal Studies Institute, warned that financial fraud has entered a new era, with artificial intelligence powering highly sophisticated scams.

He pointed to deepfake technology—capable of imitating voices, facial expressions, and behaviours—as a rising threat to institutions worldwide. Dr. Siyyam urged the adoption of advanced verification processes, continuous training, and cutting-edge detection technology to stay ahead of these emerging risks.

Coordinated Action Across Sectors

Speakers throughout the forum stressed that fighting organised fraud demands seamless collaboration among the judiciary, law enforcement, financial regulators, and payment networks.

Enhanced intelligence-sharing, stronger legal tools, and advanced transaction monitoring were cited as crucial elements of a national defence strategy. Participants agreed that isolated efforts are no longer sufficient; only a unified approach can dismantle complex criminal networks and protect Bahrain’s economic integrity.

Building Capabilities and Strengthening Global Partnerships

Closing the session, delegates called for long-term investment in capacity building — including judicial training, academic cooperation, and modern analytic technologies.

They also emphasised the importance of expanding international partnerships, noting that financial crime is borderless. Bahrain’s approach, they said, must be forward-looking, combining specialised skills with advanced technological safeguards to anticipate and disrupt criminal activity before it takes root.