MANAMA — People in Bahrain should remain vigilant against Internet fraud which became rife recently, the Public Prosecution has warned.

The chief prosecutor has stated that according to reports received by Bahrain's General Directorate of Anti-corruption and Economic and Electronic Security, many people were defrauded of their money by receiving telephone calls and fake text messages from unknown persons who were able to obtain their personal and bank data and, thereafter, take possession of their cash accounts and transfer them abroad.

Some of the suspects were arrested following a thorough investigation by the Public Prosecution which showed that organized criminal groups specialized in scams to obtain the victims' personal and bank data and, then, con them out of their bank accounts and transfer their money abroad.

The suspects were referred to the court for trial on electronic fraud charges and using electronic signatures which are punishable by the law with a sentence of up to ten years in prison and a fine of 100,000 Bahraini dinars (SR1 million approximately).

An investigation is still underway to identify the suspects and where the defrauded money has gone. In this context, and out of the Public Prosecution’s keenness on the community’s security, people in Bahrain are urged to remain highly vigilant and watch out for fake calls aimed at obtaining their personal data and taking possession of their money. — BNA