Kuwait to launch dedicated banking crimes prosecution office in 2026

Kuwait is set to establish a specialised prosecution office focused on banking and financial crimes, as the country strengthens its legal response to cyber fraud and other complex offences affecting the financial sector.

The new Banking Affairs Prosecution Office is scheduled to begin operations in 2026, according to an announcement by Kuwait’s Public Prosecutor Saad Al Safran. The unit will investigate crimes including cyber fraud, bank forgery and bounced cheques, reflecting what officials described as the growing sophistication of financial crime.

In a statement carried by the Kuwait News Agency, Al Safran said rapid changes in financial systems and digital banking had made the creation of a specialised office a pressing priority. He noted that the move is intended to reinforce confidence in banking transactions and deliver a qualitative upgrade in the way such crimes are addressed.

He explained that prosecutors assigned to the new office will be selected using objective criteria, including professional competence and practical experience, to ensure the unit is equipped to deal with evolving forms of financial crime. The aim is to build a specialised investigative and prosecutorial framework capable of responding to both traditional banking offences and emerging digital threats.

Kuwait plans specialised banking prosecution

For the first time, the prosecution will also be tasked with preparing regular analytical studies and reports that monitor trends in banking crimes and assess the methods used by offenders. These reports will include proposed practical solutions and are expected to position the office as a central reference point for financial crime analysis and information.

Alongside enforcement activity, the office will play a role in prevention through legal awareness initiatives. According to the statement, the prosecution will roll out targeted awareness programmes for institutions and the wider public when required, focusing on digital crimes and the relevant legal procedures. This is intended to address the rise in electronic fraud and improve understanding of how such offences are committed and prosecuted.

Officials said the decision represents a significant step towards safeguarding Kuwait’s national economy and protecting the integrity of financial transactions. By concentrating expertise within a dedicated prosecution unit, authorities aim to reinforce a stable and secure economic environment at a time when financial crimes are becoming increasingly complex and technology-driven.

The Banking Affairs Prosecution Office is expected to mark a new phase in Kuwait’s approach to combating financial crime, combining specialised investigation, legal oversight and public awareness as part of a broader effort to protect the country’s financial system.