Kuwait Seizes Money Of Two Influencers Money Laundering Probe

Dubai- Masaader News

Kuwaiti Public Prosecutor Derar al-Assoussi has issued a decision to seize the funds and real estate property assets of two social media influencers in the country over charges related to money laundering, Kuwait-based newspaper Kuwait Times reported Tuesday, according to Alarabiya.

The decision adds the pair to a growing number of social media influencers who are all under investigation for alleged money laundering and corruption, the Times said.

Sources told the Times that the public prosecutor rejected all of the grievances filed by the social media personalities relating to the judgement to seize their funds and assets.

The influencers, meanwhile, justified their grievances as claiming the money is legitimate, adding that the impounding decision had caused considerable harm, the sources said, according to the Times.

In July, Kuwait’s Attorney General similarly ordered the immediate seizure of all the assets of 10 social media influencers charged with money laundering and banned them from leaving the country.

Following the order, the country’s Minister of Finance, Barrak al-Sheetan, issued a ministerial resolution for setting up a panel to examine the amendment of the country’s money laundering and terrorism financing law, state news agency KUNA reported at the time.

Al-Sheetan told KUNA the panel “will examine shortcomings in existing legislations and propose adequate modifications to enhance efficiency of the financial inspection team personnel, back up their independence, boost their jurisdictions and tools for attaining the aspired objective.”