Businessman Tried Over Court Notice Fraud

Prosecutors say false contact details prevented defendants from receiving legal notices

TDT | Manama

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The First High Criminal Court has opened the trial of a businessman and a retired man accused of falsifying electronic court records by entering incorrect contact details for 12 defendants, allegedly preventing them from receiving court notices.

Prosecutors allege the 53-year-old businessman entered false phone numbers and addresses into the Ministry of Justice's electronic systems between 2021 and 2024, while the second defendant allegedly assisted in the scheme.

Authorities claim the businessman used the retired man's phone number and an address under his control in multiple civil cases, causing court notifications to be sent to the wrong recipient and preventing several defendants from learning about the lawsuits.

Officials from the Ministry of Justice testified that records showed the same phone number and address had been used for 12 different individuals, with all entries made using the businessman's electronic credentials.

Investigators also found that the address was linked to companies owned by the businessman, while forensic analysis of the second defendant's phone uncovered numerous court notifications intended for different defendants.

Several alleged victims told investigators the listed contact details did not belong to them. The trial is continuing before the First High Criminal Court.