A total of 1,425 Indian expatriates, including 800 nurses, have fled Kuwait after taking loans amounting to 25.5 million Kuwaiti Dinars from a Kuwaiti bank.
This news was reported by Arab Times, citing Al-Seyassah newspaper.
According to a report by the Indo-Asian News Agency, some of the defaulters have fled to countries like the UK, Canada, the USA, and Australia. The Kuwaiti bank is now pursuing legal action against the 1,425 Indians, including 800 nurses from the Indian state of Kerala, for defaulting on loans worth approximately 25.5 million Kuwaiti Dinars.
It is alleged that many of the defaulters took loans for purposes such as immigration abroad or purchasing property in Kerala. They reportedly used deceptive tactics, initially building trust by taking small loans and repaying them on time, and then taking out larger loans before fleeing.
A report by the Indian website Manorama states that the Kuwaiti bank has shared detailed information about the defaulters with the Kerala police. Following this, cases have been registered against the accused in Kerala, and there is suspicion that intermediaries or agents may have been involved in facilitating the fraud.
Following visits by bank officials to seek assistance from local police, at least 10 cases have already been registered in Kerala’s Ernakulam and Kottayam districts. Investigations so far have revealed the involvement of more than 1,400 individuals.
Most of these fraudulent activities are reported to have occurred between 2019 and 2022, as noted by the bank’s legal representatives, as quoted by Indian Express. The scheme came to light in 2022 when officials noticed a significant increase in loan defaults.
The Kuwaiti bank has filed a formal complaint with the Additional Director General of Police in Kerala. In response, it has been reported that Kerala state police are considering handing over the investigation to the Inspector General of Police (Southern Zone) to ensure a comprehensive inquiry.
