Kuwait, 7 April 2025: Kuwait International Bank (KIB) reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing banking awareness among its customers, as part of the “Let’s Be Aware” (Diraya) campaign, launched by the Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) and the Kuwait Banking Association (KBA) in cooperation with local banks. The campaign aims to educate customers about the risks of banking fraud and to promote financial inclusion within the community.

In this context, the Bank warned of an increase in fraud attempts involving the WAMD instant transfer service. Scammers typically contact individuals, claiming they have mistakenly transferred funds to their accounts, and then request a refund through payment links sent via WhatsApp or SMS. These fake links are often designed to steal sensitive financial information, such as bank card details, OTP numbers, or login information for online or mobile banking services, leading to theft of money from customers.

Mohammed Al-Sarraf, Assistant Manager – Anti-Fraud Unit at KIB, said: “We are committed to protecting our customers from all forms of fraud and urge everyone to stay vigilant and report any suspicious payments to their bank immediately. They should also refrain from interacting with individuals claiming to have received funds by mistake. They should also avoid engaging with suspicious links received through social media.”

Al-Sarraf added that KIB remains committed to educating customers on essential precautions when using the WAMD service—such as verifying recipient details and their phone number, confirming the transfer amount before sending, and saving the recipient’s number in their contact list to ensure secure transactions.

It is worth noting that KIB consistently monitors emerging fraud tactics and works to keep customers informed by offering guidance and practical tips to help protect them from potential scams. The Bank also shares awareness materials across its social media platforms to ensure the Diraya campaign’s messages reach the widest possible audience and to empower customers to navigate evolving banking challenges. These efforts reflect KIB’s ongoing commitment to deepening its relationship with customers by fostering trust in its services and reinforcing the values of security and transparency in all banking transactions.