By Ghadeer Ghloum

KUWAIT: In the current landscape, the incessant proliferation of cybercrimes presents a challenge in their identification and detection. Acknowledging this pressing concern, Kuwait Times interviewed Sultan Al-Shimali and Jabr Al-Fadhalah, two legal professionals, to shed light on targeted categories, underlying motivations propelling cybercrimes, most common cybercrimes and safeguards within Kuwait’s law to protect victims and ensure the just punishment of offenders.

Targeted categories

Shimali suggests that individuals who are nearing or have reached retirement age are particularly vulnerable to cybercrimes, because they often possess retirement funds, pensions and indemnities that make them attractive targets. Fadhalah supported this viewpoint, as he pointed out elderly individuals are primary targets for traditional financial crimes. On the other hand, cybercrimes such as slander, defamation and blackmail primarily target younger individuals. As for financial crimes like theft, fraud, and embezzlement, they can affect anyone regardless of age.

Kuwait’s law

According to Fadhalah, committing a cybercrime involves the use of electronic means and can have harmful consequences for individuals. Most cybercrimes are intentional and cause damage. However, Kuwait has enacted laws to protect against various types of cybercrimes, specifically law no. 37 of 2014 regarding the establishment of the Communication and Information Technology Regulatory Authority and law no. 63 of 2015 on combating information technology crimes. These laws criminalize all types of cybercrime, whether directed at individuals or property, and protect public and private interests.

Penalties for cybercrimes include imprisonment and monetary fines. The legislator has also extended punishment to economic crimes that directly impact business entities. Consequently, various sectors of the business field have seen the criminalization of certain behaviors. On his part, Shimali advises anyone who has been scammed to report the incident to the cybercrime unit within the ministry of interior. However, it is crucial to double-check the legitimacy of the platform or person involved before taking any action.

The motive

According to Fadhalah, cybercrimes are primarily driven by greed, defamation and exploitation of individuals. Unlike traditional crimes, cybercrimes have no boundaries in terms of place or time.

Most common types

Fadhalah explained that fraud and deception are prevalent forms of cybercrime, encompassing various techniques such as phishing and pretexting. Individuals are often tricked through fabricated projects, electronic stock trading schemes or fake requests for banking information, with criminals even impersonate reputable entities for their own gain. These types of fraud and deception rank among the most prominent scams. Additionally, cybercrimes involving public slander, defamation and harmful statements made in the presence or hearing of others are also prevalent.